Waldenström macroglobulinemia caused by extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: a report of six cases

Am J Clin Pathol. 2001 Nov;116(5):683-90. doi: 10.1309/6WPX-66CM-KGRH-V4RW.

Abstract

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) and its associated hyperviscosity syndrome (HVS) are generally caused by lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma or other small B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. WM associated with extranodal marginal zone B-cell-mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (EMZL/MALT-type) has not been emphasized. We describe 4 men and 2 women (age, 40-79 years) with clinical and laboratory manifestations of WM and EMZL/MALT-type involving one or more sites: lung, pericardium/pleura, ocular adnexa, nasopharynx, minor salivary gland, glossopharyngeal fold, skin, and stomach. The following immunophenotypic patterns were observed: CD20+, 6; CD43+, 3; kappa light chain restriction, 5; and lambda light chain restriction, 1. All were negative for CD5, CD10, and cyclin D1 expression. A clonal paraproteinemia was present in each (IgM kappa, 4; IgM lambda, 1; biclonal IgM kappa/IgA kappa, 1). All 4 patients tested had elevated plasma viscosity; clinical HVS occurred in 3, and 2 required emergency plasmapheresis. These findings suggest that EMZL/MALT-type can cause WM and that the laboratory evaluation of EMZL/MALT-type should include serum protein electrophoresis/immunofixation, and plasma viscosity measurements and urine immunofixation in select cases. EMZL/MALT-type should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with clinicopathologic features of WM.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Blood Viscosity
  • Clone Cells
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / complications*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / pathology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / complications*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraproteinemias
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / etiology*
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / metabolism
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / pathology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Biomarkers, Tumor