BACKGROUND :
Waldenstrom´s Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a low grade lymphoproliferative disorder that produces monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM). Information on the clinical feature and outcome of Korean patients with WM is scanty.
METHODS :
Patients with WM newly diagnosed at 5 university hospitals in Daegu and Gyeongju from 1990 to 2002 were enrolled. Data on 14 patients were retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS :
The median age at diagnosis was 66 years (range: 48~77) and the male/female ratio was 6:1. All patients except one were symptomatic at presentation. Anemia was observed in all patients and beta2 microglobulin was elevated in 90% of patients. Overall response rate was 45% in the patients treated with alkylating agent and steroid. The median survival of our patients was 39 months (95% confidence interval:13.7~64.3 months) and the only factor associated with poor survival was albumin level by univariate analysis.
CONCLUSION :
Incidence of WM was lower and the median survival of our patients was shorter than that of Western reports. Further studies are needed to confirm prognostic factors and risk adapted treatment guideline of Korean WM patients.

Keywords: Waldenstorm's macroglobulinemia, Clinical course, Korea