Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia

Name(s): 
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia
Hyperglobulinemic purpurea
Waldenstrom's purpurea
Waldenstrom's syndrome
Nature 
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia is a rare type of cancer which has been described as a hybrid of lymphoma and myeloma. B-lymphoctyes are transformed into cancer cells in the last stage of their maturation process. The disease is fatal, though treatment may extend survival many years after diagnosis.
Incidence 
It is estimated that as many as 50 people per million have the disease in the USA. Other estimates are lower and collectively place the number affected in the USA at any one time as between 4,000 and 13,400.
Type 
(G) Very specific problems