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==Laboratory Findings==
==Laboratory Findings==


*The laboratory diagnosis of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia is contingent on demonstrating a significant monoclonal [[IgM]] spike and identifying malignant cells consistent with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (usually found in bone marrow biopsy samples and aspirates).
====Complete blood count====
*Normocytic normochromic anemia - presents in 80% of patients<ref name="LAB">Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Medscape (2015)http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/207097-workup#c7 Accessed on November 10, 2015</ref>
*Leukopenia
*Thrombocytopenia - presents in 50% of patients with bleeding diathesis


*General studies include a [[CBC]], red cell indices, [[platelet count]], and a [[peripheral smear]].
====Peripheral smear====
*Plasmacytoid lymphocytes
*Normocytic normochromic red blood cells
*Rouleaux formation


*[[Normocytic normochromic anemia]], [[leukopenia]], and [[thrombocytopenia]] may be observed. [[Anemia]] is the most common finding, present in 80% of patients with symptomatic Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.  
====Chemistry lab tests====
*Lactate dehydrogenase - is elevated indicating the extent of tissue involvement.
*Creatinine is elevated.
*Electrolyte abnormalities can be present with hypercalcemia in 4% of patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.
*Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and uric acid may be elevated.
*Renal and hepatic function
*Total protein levels
*Albumin-to-globulin ratio
*Rheumatoid factor, cryoglobulins, direct antiglobulin test and cold agglutinin titre results can be positive.
*Beta-2-microglobulin is elevated in proportion to tumor mass.
*Coaglulation studies can be abnormal with elevated prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and thrombin time.


*The [[peripheral smear]] may reveal plasmacytoid [[lymphocyte]]s, normocytic normochromic red cells, and [[rouleaux formation]].  
====Nerve conduction study====
*Patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia should have nerve conduction study and [[antimyelin associated glycoprotein]] serology should be done.


*[[Neutropenia]] can be found in some patients.  
====Plasma viscosity====
*Plasma viscosity should be measured in patients presenting with hyperviscosity syndrome.


*[[Thrombocytopenia]] is found in approximately 50% of patients with bleeding diathesis.
References:
 
{{Reflist|2}}
*Chemistry tests include [[lactate dehydrogenase]] ([[LDH]]) levels, [[uric acid]] levels, [[erythrocyte sedimentation rate]] ([[ESR]]), renal and [[hepatic function test]]s, [[total protein]] levels, and an [[albumin-to-globulin ratio]]. The [[ESR]] and [[uric acid]] level may be elevated.
 
*[[Creatinine]] is occasionally elevated and electrolytes are occasionally abnormal. [[Hypercalcemia]] is noted in approximately 4% of patients.
 
*The [[LDH]] level is frequently elevated, indicating the extent of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia–related tissue involvement.
 
*[[Rheumatoid factor]], [[cryoglobulin]]s, [[direct antiglobulin test]] and [[cold agglutinin titre]] results can be positive.
 
*Beta-2-microglobulin and [[C-reactive protein]] test results are not specific for Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Beta-2-microglobulin is elevated in proportion to tumor mass.
 
*Coagulation abnormalities may be present. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and fibrinogen tests should be performed. Platelet aggregation studies are optional.
 
*Serum [[protein electrophoresis]] results indicate evidence of a monoclonal spike but cannot establish the spike as IgM. An M component with beta-to-gamma mobility is highly suggestive of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.
 
* A distinguishing feature of WM is the presence of an [[IgM monoclonal protein]] (or [[paraprotein]]) that is produced by the cancer cells, and a concurrent decrease in levels of uninvolved [[immunoglobulins]] (i.e., [[IgG]] and [[IgA]]).
 
*Immunoelectrophoresis and immunofixation studies help identify the type of immunoglobulin, the clonality of the light chain, and the monoclonality and quantitation of the paraprotein.
 
*High-resolution electrophoresis and serum and urine immunofixation are recommended to help identify and characterize the monoclonal IgM paraprotein.
 
*The light chain of the monoclonal protein is usually the kappa light chain. At times, patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia may exhibit more than one M protein.
 
*Plasma viscosity must be measured.
 
*Results from characterization studies of urinary immunoglobulins indicate that light chains ([[Bence Jones protein]]), usually of the kappa type, are found in the urine.
 
*Urine collections should be concentrated.
 
*[[Bence Jones protein|Bence Jones proteinuria]] is observed in approximately 40% of patients and exceeds 1 g/d in approximately 3% of patients.
 
*Patients with findings of [[peripheral neuropathy]] should have nerve conduction studies and [[antimyelin associated glycoprotein]] serology
 
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
 
{{WH}}
{{WS}}
 
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Blood]]
[[Category:Hematology]]

Revision as of 15:28, 10 November 2015

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Laboratory Findings

Complete blood count

  • Normocytic normochromic anemia - presents in 80% of patients[1]
  • Leukopenia
  • Thrombocytopenia - presents in 50% of patients with bleeding diathesis

Peripheral smear

  • Plasmacytoid lymphocytes
  • Normocytic normochromic red blood cells
  • Rouleaux formation

Chemistry lab tests

  • Lactate dehydrogenase - is elevated indicating the extent of tissue involvement.
  • Creatinine is elevated.
  • Electrolyte abnormalities can be present with hypercalcemia in 4% of patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.
  • Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and uric acid may be elevated.
  • Renal and hepatic function
  • Total protein levels
  • Albumin-to-globulin ratio
  • Rheumatoid factor, cryoglobulins, direct antiglobulin test and cold agglutinin titre results can be positive.
  • Beta-2-microglobulin is elevated in proportion to tumor mass.
  • Coaglulation studies can be abnormal with elevated prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and thrombin time.

Nerve conduction study

Plasma viscosity

  • Plasma viscosity should be measured in patients presenting with hyperviscosity syndrome.

References:

  1. Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Medscape (2015)http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/207097-workup#c7 Accessed on November 10, 2015