Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia Associated With Generalized AA-Amyloidosis

Abstract

The authors present a case of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) associated with generalized amyloidosis of amyloid-A type. A 77-year-old man with a 25-year history of degenerative joint disease and a 13-year history of WM died of multisystemic failure. At autopsy, generalized and severe amyloid deposits were detected. Special conventional stains and immunohistochemical examination revealed amyloid-A de posits, which are extinguishingly rare in WM. This is probably related to the disease being chronic, which results in excessive production of precursor protein. The detection of amyloid-A type fibrils was possible only through the application of the immunohis tochemical procedure. The authors emphasize using the immunohistochemical typing of amyloid deposits for the purpose of classification, therapy, and prognosis. Int J Surg Pathol 1 (2):123-128, 1993

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia - a review

“…AL amyloidosis may further affect the autonomic nervous system, causing diarrhea, hypotension, impotence and bladder dysfunction. 28 The deposition of amyloid A protein (AA amyloidosis) has been documented, although rare, 37,38 and may occur in the kidneys and intestines, causing nephrotic syndrome and intestinal malabsorption. 39 IgG and IgA hypogammaglobulinemia may occur simultaneously with monoclonal IgM hypergammaglobulinemia, which can contribute to recurrent respiratory tract infections, but its cause is not well understood and could be associated with alterations in the development of plasma cells and/or the production of immunoglobulins.…”