Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia

Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia is uncommon. Each year, an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 adults in the United States are diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia. The chance of developing Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia increases as people age, and about 70% of people diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia are over age 65.

The five-year survival rate of people with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is about 70%. However, it is important to note that survival rates vary based on a number of individual factors, including the patient’s age and the extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis.

Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of people with this type of cancer in the United States, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia. Learn more about understanding statistics.

Statistics from the American Cancer Society.