Symptoms
In most cases, no physical changes may be noticed in people with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. Studies show that 1 in 4 people don’t exhibit symptoms when they’re diagnosed. However, you may experience some medical issues. Metastasis of the cancer cells leads to a reduction in the levels of your healthy blood cells. As a result, you have a disease known as anaemia [2]. Your ability to fight off infections or foreign substances is affected if your white blood cell level is low.
In some cases, your platelet level (blood cell fragments used in forming clots) may also reduce, which makes you prone to bleeding or bruising. When you have Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia cells in your organs, it results in swelling.
The symptoms stated above may be accompanied by other issues such as:
- Headaches [3]
- Night sweats
- Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
- Regular infections
- Fever [4]
- Swollen belly or lymph nodes
- Confusion, dizziness, and clumsiness
- Breathing difficulties
- Vision problems [5], which include blurriness
- Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet