1. Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Immunoglobulin M–Related Disorders
- Author
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Cesana, Clara, Barbarano, Luciana, Miqueleiz, Sara, Lucchesini, Camilla, Ricci, Francesca, Varettoni, Marzia, Filippini, Davide, Lazzarino, Mario, and Morra, Enrica
- Abstract
We analyzed the clinical features and prognostic factors for transformation of immunoglobulin M–related disorders (IgM-RDs) to malignant lymphoproliferative disease (MLD) in 83 patients with IgM-RDs. We studied 19 patients with type I cryoglobulinemias, 56 patients with type II cryoglobulinemias, 5 patients with peripheral neuropathies (PNs), and 3 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpuras. Fourteen patients with cryoglobulinemias presented with mild to moderate hepatomegaly with or without splenomegaly. Fourteen patients with type II cryoglobulinemias had arthralgias and/or vascular purpura (12 receiving corticosteroids), and 7 presented with PN. These latter patients and those with PNs without cryoglobulinemia were treated with steroids, cyclophosphamide, or polychemotherapy with/without plasma-exchange. Cumulative probability of evolution to MLD at 5 years was 15% (95% CI; 5%-25%). At a median of 62 months (12-195 months), 8 cases of IgM-RDs (8.4%) evolved to overt Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (n = 6), 1 case to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 1 case to B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. At univariate analysis, male sex (P= 0.02), IgM level = 3 g/dL (P< 0.0001), detectable Bence Jones proteinuria (P= 0.0005), lymphocytosis (P= 0.049), and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P= 0.003) significantly correlated with the evolution risk. Age, blood cell counts, ß2-microglobulin level, degree of marrow lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, type of cryoglobulinemia, and hepatitis C virus positivity did not correlate with transformation. Although IgM-RDs represent a distinct clinical entity frequently requiring treatment in view of the IgM-related symptoms, their evolution probability and prognostic factors for malignant transformation seem to widely overlap those described for asymptomatic IgM monoclonal gammopathies.
- Published
- 2004
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