A Rare Case of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia Presenting with Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Introduction/Background/Significance: Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare, indolent B-cell lymphoma characterized by the production of monoclonal IgM antibodies. While typical symptoms include fatigue, anemia, and neurologic manifestations due to hyperviscosity, the presentation of WM with gastrointestinal bleeding is rare and often poses a diagnostic challenge.
Materials and Methods/Case Presentation/Objective: This case report discusses a 68-year-old male with history of hypertension, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and anemia secondary to hemorrhoids, initially presenting with recurrent bloody stools and persistent anemia.
Results/Description/Main Outcome Measures: After extensive work-up with series of laboratory (CBC, Total Protein, SPEP, SLFC, SIFE) and diagnostic procedures (Bone Marrow Aspiration Biopsy and Gene Mutation Analysis), he was diagnosed with WM, with gastrointestinal bleeding being an atypical presentation.
Conclusions: This case underscores the need for heightened awareness of WM in patients with unexplained bleeding, especially in older individuals with co-morbidities.
