Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Although risk factors often influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and talking about them with your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices.

The following factors may raise a person’s risk of developing Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia:

Age. The risk of Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia increases with age. It occurs most commonly in people over 60.

Gender. Men are more likely to develop Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia than women.

Race. White people are more likely to develop Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia than black people.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).  MGUS is a buildup of monoclonal antibodies produced by abnormal plasma cells. MGUS does not generally cause symptoms or significant health problems, although the abnormal antibody can occasionally bind to nerves and cause weakness, tingling, and numbness. Approximately 20% of people with MGUS will develop another type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma or multiple myeloma within 20 years.