Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare type of tumor that belongs to a group of disorders called lymphoproliferative diseases. It occurs in approximately 1100 people/year in the U.S. Although WM can occur in people of both sexes and any race, the majority of patients are white males. The cause of WM is unknown. NCI conducted a study to determine what causes WM to sometimes develop in two or more family members.
Definition of Familial WM
Most people who have WM are the only member of their family with this condition. Sometimes, however, WM occurs in two or more blood relatives; the affected family members are said to have familial WM. The reasons why WM may run in families are unknown. It might be that the affected family members shared a susceptibility to WM, or they may have been exposed to similar environmental factors. At the present time, little is known about either host factors or environmental exposures that might be associated with WM.
For more general information about WM, contact Dr. Douglas Stewart.