Glossary
The state-of-the-art glossary for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia.
Glossary for Waldenström's macroglobulinemia
The aim of the glossary is to provide a concise definition for the medical terms used on waldenstroms.info to assist users in reading the information made available on this site. The definitions contained herein should not be considered complete or exhaustive. Users are encouraged to consult the sources cited in the glossary and other reliable sources for further information.
Acalabrutinib
A second generation Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi)
Read more: AcalabrutinibAdenopathy
Disease or inflammation involving glandular tissue, especially involving lymph nodes.
Read more: AdenopathyAnemia
A lack of sufficient healthy erythrocytes or hemoglobin to carry adequate oxygen to bodily tissues.
Read more: AnemiaB-cells
B-cells (B-lymphocytes) – A type of leucocyte (white blood cell) of the lymphocyte subtype, which function in the humoral immunity component of the adaptive immune system by secreting antibodies.
Read more: B-cellsBruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK)
Is a non-receptor kinase that plays a crucial role in oncogenic signaling that is critical for proliferation and survival of leukemic cells in many B-cell malignancies.
Read more: Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK)Cold agglutinin disease (CAD)
A rare hematological condition in which the immune system destroys erythrocytes.
Read more: Cold agglutinin disease (CAD)Comorbidities
The presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary condition.
Read more: ComorbiditiesConstitutional symptoms
A group of nonspecific symptoms (such as appetite loss, weight loss, headache and fevers) that can affect several different bodily systems.
Read more: Constitutional symptomsCryoglobulinemia
In cryoglobulinemia, abnormal blood proteins called cryoglobulins clump together at cold temperatures.
Read more: CryoglobulinemiaCT
CT (computerized tomography) scan – A medical imaging technique which utilizes computer-processed combinations of multiple X-ray measurements taken from different angles to produce tomographic images of the body.
Read more: CTFibrillation
The most common type of heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) that can interrupt normal blood flow.
Read more: FibrillationIgM
The largest of several types of immunoglobulin (antibody) produced by vertebrates. The first antibody produced in response to initial antigen exposure.
Read more: IgMImmunochemotherapy
The treatment and management of disease by combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy
Read more: ImmunochemotherapyLDH
LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), an enzyme found in nearly all living cells. LDH catalyzes the reversible conversion of lactate to pyruvate.
Read more: LDHLymphadenopathy
Lymphadenopathy or adenopathy is a disease of the lymph nodes, in which they are abnormal in size or consistency.
Read more: LymphadenopathyM-protein
An abnormal antibody (immunoglobulin) or fragment thereof, produced in excess by abnormal monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells.
Read more: M-proteinMAG antibodies
MAG antibodies (myelin-associated glycoprotein antibodies) – Frequently associated with, and contribute directly to, the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathies. These autoantibodies frequently occur with IgM paraproteinemia.
Read more: MAG antibodiesMYD88
MYD88 (myeloid differentiation factor 88) is a driver gene found in hematologic B-cell malignancies.
Read more: MYD88Neuropathy
Disease or dysfunction of one or more nerves, typically causing pain, numbness or weakness.
Read more: NeuropathyNucleoside analogues
Synthetic, chemically modified nucleosides that mimic their physiological counterparts (endogenous nucleosides) and block cellular division or viral replication by impairing DNA/RNA synthesis or by inhibition of cellular or viral enzymes involved in nucleoside/tide metabolism.
Read more: Nucleoside analoguesPCR
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) – A technology used to amplify fragments of DNA exponentially.
Read more: PCRPET imaging
PET imaging (positron emission tomography) – A functional imaging technique which utilizes radiotracers (radioactive substances) used to visualize and measure changes in metabolic processes, and in other physiological activities including blood flow, regional chemical composition, and absorption.
Read more: PET imagingPharmacokinetics
The branch of pharmacology concerned with the movement of drugs within the body.
Read more: PharmacokineticsPlasma cells
White blood cells that originate in the bone marrow and secrete large quantities of antibodies in response to antigen presentation
Read more: Plasma cellsPlasmapheresis
The removal, treatment, and return or exchange of blood plasma or plasma components from and to the blood circulation
Read more: PlasmapheresisProteasome inhibitors
Drugs that block the action of proteasomes (cellular complexes that break down proteins)
Read more: Proteasome inhibitorsSFLC
SFLC (serum-free light chain) – Proteins produced by plasma cells, which link together with other proteins (heavy chains) to form immunoglobulins (antibodies) that target and neutralize specific infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses
Read more: SFLCTirabrutinib
A second generation small molecule inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase
Read more: TirabrutinibZanubrutinib
A small molecule second-generation inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase
Read more: Zanubrutinib𝛃2 microglobulin
Beta-2-microglobulin is a small membrane protein associated with the heavy chains of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins and is, therefore, on the surface of all nucleated cells (excludes red blood cells).
Read more: 𝛃2 microglobulin