The key difference between multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is that multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, while Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is a cancer of B lymphocytes.
Blood cancers are called hematologic cancers. They usually start in the bone marrow. Blood cancers occur when abnormal blood cells grow out of control, affecting the normal function of blood cells. There are different types of blood cancers, such as leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), amyloidosis, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, and aplastic anemia. Therefore, multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia are two different types of blood cancers.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Multiple Myeloma
3. What is Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
4. Similarities – Multiple Myeloma and Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
5. Multiple Myeloma vs. Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Multiple Myeloma and Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
7. Summary – Multiple Myeloma vs. Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that begins in a type of white blood cells called plasma cells. Healthy plasma cells fight against foreign agents by making antibodies. However, in multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow. The symptoms of this condition may include bone pain, nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, mental fogginess, tiredness, infections, weight loss, weakness, thirst, and the need to urinate. Recent studies have found multiple myeloma can be caused by genetic mutation in genes such as MYC, RAS, and p53. Moreover, the risk factors for this condition include getting older, being male, being Black, having a family history of multiple myeloma, and having monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
Figure 01: Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma can be diagnosed through blood tests, urine tests, bone marrow tests, and imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, CT scans, and PET scans. Furthermore, treatment options for multiple myeloma may include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, bone marrow transplant, and radiation therapy.
What is Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia?
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that usually begins in B lymphocytes. The symptoms of this condition are fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, night sweats, weakness, weight loss, a tingling sensation in the fingers and toes, nose bleeds, blurred vision, enlarged liver or spleen, and swollen lymph nodes. Approximately, 90% of people diagnosed with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia have a mutation involving the MYD88 gene. The risk factors for this condition are being 65 or older, being White, being male or born male, having AIDS, having Sjogren’s syndrome, having monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, having biological family members that suffer from Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia and previous exposure to certain solvents, dyes, and pesticides.
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia can be diagnosed through blood and urine tests, imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, electrophoresis, and bone marrow biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia may include plasmapheresis, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell therapy.
What are the Similarities Between Multiple Myeloma and Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia?
- Multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia are two different types of blood cancers.
- Both blood cancers are due to genetic mutations.
- Both blood cancers can be diagnosed through blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests, and physical examinations.
- They can be treated with therapies like immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
What is the Difference Between Multiple Myeloma and Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia?
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, while Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is a cancer of B lymphocytes. Thus, this is the key difference between multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. Furthermore, multiple myeloma is caused by mutations in genes such as MYC, RAS, and p53. On the other hand, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is caused by mutations in a gene called MYD88.
The infographic below presents the differences between multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Multiple Myeloma and Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
What is another name for Waldenstrom?
Another name for Waldenstrom is lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.
What confirms multiple myeloma?
A bone marrow biopsy can confirm multiple myeloma.
What is the new treatment for Waldenstrom’s?
A tyrosine kinase inhibitor called zanubrutinib is effective for the treatment of Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia.
Summary – Multiple Myeloma vs. Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
Blood cancer is a type of cancer that normally affects blood cells. There are different types of blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells. Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is a cancer of B lymphocytes. Moreover, multiple myeloma is caused by mutations in genes such as MYC, RAS, and p53. On the other hand, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is caused by mutations in a gene called MYD88. So, this summarizes the difference between multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia.
Reference:
1. “Overview -Multiple Myeloma.” NHS Choices, NHS.
2. “Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Multiple myeloma peripheral blood morphology – rouleaux, background staining and plasma cell” By SpicyMilkBoy – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia