Immunoblastic lymphoma and associated non-lymphoid malignancies following two cases of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. A review of the literature

Evaluation and Management of Disease Transformation in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Histologic transformation (HT) to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma occurs rarely in Waldenström macroglobulinemia, with higher incidence in MYD88 wild-type patients. HT is suspected clinically when rapidly enlarging lymph nodes, elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, or extranodal disease occur. Histologic assessment is required for diagnosis. HT carries a worse prognosis compared with nontransformed Waldenström macroglobulinemia. A validated prognostic score based on three adverse risk factors stratifies three risk groups. The most common frontline treatment is chemoimmunotherapy, such as R-CHOP. Central nervous system prophylaxis should be considered if feasible and consolidation with autologous transplant should be discussed in fit patients responding to chemoimmunotherapy.

Transformed Waldenström Macroglobulinemia: Update on Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment

Histological transformation (HT) to an aggressive lymphoma results from a rare evolution of Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). A higher incidence of transformation events has been reported in MYD88 wild-type WM patients. HT in WM can be histologically heterogeneous, although the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of activated B-cell subtype is the predominant pathologic entity. The pathophysiology of HT is largely unknown. The clinical suspicion of HT is based on physical deterioration and the rapid enlargement of the lymph nodes in WM patients. Most transformed WM patients present with elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and extranodal disease. A histologic confirmation regarding the transformation to a higher-grade lymphoma is mandatory for the diagnosis of HT, and the choice of the biopsy site may be dictated by the findings of the 18fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography. The prognosis of HT in WM is unfavorable, with a significantly inferior outcome compared to WM patients without HT. A validated prognostic score based on 3 adverse risk factors (elevated LDH, platelet count < 100 × 109/L and any previous treatment for WM) stratifies patients into 3 risk groups. The most common initial treatment used is a chemo-immunotherapy (CIT), such as R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone). The response duration is short and central nervous system relapses are frequent. Whether autologous stem cell transplantation could benefit fit patients responding to CIT remains to be studied.

Waldenström macroglobulinaemia: presenting features and outcome in a series with 217 cases

In this report we analyse the presenting features of a series of patients diagnosed with Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) in Spain over the last 10 years. Criteria for diagnosis required a serum monoclonal IgM protein > or = 30 g/l and > 20% bone marrow lymphocytes. Two hundred and seventeen patients were included in the study, with a median age of 69 years and male/female ratio of 2:1. The most common symptoms at diagnosis were anaemia (38%), hyperviscosity (31%), B symptoms (23%), bleeding (23%) and neurological symptoms (22%). Sixty-one patients (27%) were asymptomatic at diagnosis and, to date, 32 of them have not received chemotherapy. Variables predicting a shorter survival free of therapy were haemoglobin < 12.5 g/dl and high beta2microglobulin (beta2M). The 83% of patients who did receive treatment were distributed as follows: chlorambucil/prednisone (43%), intermittent chlorambucil (11%), continuous chlorambucil (26%), cyclophosphamide/vincristine/prednisone (COP, 13.5%) and other (6.5%). Response to therapy was complete in 2%, partial in 48% and minor in 10%. Finally, 28% and 13% of patients presented stable and progressive disease, respectively, which was more common among patients treated with COP. Progression-free survival was 43% at 5 years, with three independent predictors for shorter progression-free survival (PFS): COP treatment, age > 65 and B symptoms at diagnosis. The 10-year projected overall survival (OS) was 55%. The two most frequent causes of death were development of second malignancies (31%), or infections (19%). The two main variables predicting a poor OS were hyperviscosity and high beta2M. In summary, this study favours the use of chlorambucil-based therapy as the standard treatment for WM, and describes a subset of patients who should be considered as suffering a smouldering form and who therefore do not require treatment for a long period of time.

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia: clinical features, complications, and management

PURPOSE

To review the clinical features, complications, and treatment of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a low-grade lymphoproliferative disorder that produces monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) M.

METHODS

A review of published reports was facilitated by the use of a MEDLINE computer search and by manual search of the Index Medicus.

RESULTS

The clinical manifestations associated with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia can be classified according to those related to direct tumor infiltration, to the amount and specific properties of circulating IgM, and to the deposition of IgM in various tissues. Asymptomatic patients should be followed without treatment. For symptomatic patients, standard treatment consists primarily of oral chlorambucil; nucleoside analogs, such as fludarabine and cladribine, are effective in one third of previously treated patients and in up to 80% of previously untreated patients. Preliminary evidence suggests that anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody may be active in about 30% of previously treated patients and that high-dose therapy with autologous stem-cell rescue is effective in most patients, including some with resistance to nucleoside analogs.

CONCLUSION

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia has a wide clinical spectrum that practicing physicians need to recognize early to reach the correct diagnosis. When therapy is indicated, oral chlorambucil is the standard primary treatment, but cladribine or fludarabine can be used when a rapid cytoreduction is desirable. Prospective randomized trials are required to elucidate the impact of nucleoside analogs on patients' survival. A nucleoside analog is the treatment of choice for patients who have been previously treated with an alkylating agent.

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia is an unusual low-grade lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma characterized by the production of monoclonal IgM. The clinical manifestations associated with WM can be classified as those related to direct tumor infiltration, by the amount and specific properties of circulating IgM, and by the deposition of IgM in various tissues. Asymptomatic patients should be followed without treatment. The management of the disease relies on the administration of systemic chemotherapy to reduce tumor load and on the application of plasmapheresis to remove circulating IgM. Standard treatment consists of oral chlorambucil, which induces response in at least 50% of patients, resulting in a median survival of approximately 5 years. Nucleoside analogues (cladribine, fludarabine) are effective in most previously untreated patients. These agents are the treatment of choice for patients with disease resistant to alkylating agents. New treatment approaches include high-dose therapy with stem-cell support and administration of monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies.

Cutaneous Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia in transformation

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is a low-grade B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder of the elderly with characteristic monoclonal IgM-producing neoplastic infiltrates of the bone marrow, lymph node, and spleen. Cutaneous manifestations are usually nonspecific such as purpura, ulcers, and urticarial lesions. These lesions are caused by hyperviscosity of the blood, immune complex-mediated vascular damage, paraprotein deposition, and amyloid deposition. Specific skin lesions occur rarely and generally consist of translucent, flesh-colored papules composed of monoclonal IgM deposits. Rarely, there may be violaceous lesions composed of low-grade lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates characteristic of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Both cutaneous manifestations of the disease, as well as disease transformation to high-grade, large cell lymphoma are rare. We report two very unusual cases of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia with documented skin disease that demonstrated transformation to high-grade lymphoma. Both patients were elderly men with long-standing Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia involving the bone marrow, who subsequently developed skin involvement by the disease. Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia can rarely manifest as cutaneous disease, sometimes as a high-grade transformation of low-grade Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia elsewhere. Distinction of cases of transformed Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia from de novo cutaneous large cell lymphoma may be important, because the two entities are likely biologically different.