Oncologist-approved cancer information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology
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Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia




  • Age and medical condition
  • Type of cancer suspected
  • Signs and symptoms
  • Previous test results

In addition to a physical examination, the following tests may be used to diagnose Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia:

Blood tests. Blood tests, such as CBC-D (complete blood count with differential count) and an examination of the blood with a microscope, can help your doctor diagnose Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia. There is also an increase in IgM that can be detected by protein electrophoresis (a method of separating proteins in the blood with an electric field).


The most common type of biopsy for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia is either a bone marrow biopsy (see below) or a biopsy of the lymph nodes in the neck, under the arms, or in the groin. A biopsy may also be taken from the chest or abdomen while using a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan (see below) to guide the doctor, or from the stomach or intestine during an endoscopy. An endoscopy is a test that allows the doctor to see inside the body using a thin, lighted, flexible tube called an endoscope.

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Lymphoma often spreads to the bone marrow, the spongy material in the center of bones where blood cells are produced. A sample of the bone marrow can be important to diagnose Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, and it can help determine if the cancer has spread.

A bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are similar and often done at the same time. Bone marrow has both a solid and a liquid part. A bone marrow biopsy is the removal of a small amount of solid tissue using a needle. An aspiration removes a sample of fluid with a needle. The sample(s) are then analyzed by a pathologist. A common site for a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration is the pelvic bone, which is located in the lower back by the hip. The skin in that area is numbed with a local anesthetic beforehand (medication to block the awareness of pain), and other types of anesthesia may be used. 

Molecular testing. Your doctor may recommend running laboratory tests on a tissue sample to identify specific genes, proteins, and other factors unique to the tumor. Results of these tests will help decide whether your treatment options include a type of treatment called targeted therapy (see the Treatment Options section).


Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. An MRI uses magnetic fields, not x-rays, to produce detailed images of the body. A contrast medium (a special dye) may be injected into a patient’s vein or given orally to create a clearer picture.

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan. A PET scan is a way to create pictures of organs and tissues inside the body. A small amount of a radioactive substance is injected into a patient’s body. This substance is absorbed mainly by organs and tissues that have higher metabolic activity (use the most energy). Because cancer tends to use energy actively, it absorbs more of the radioactive substance. A scanner then detects this substance to produce images of the inside of the body.




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