What You’ll Learn: A Patient-Led Guide to Waldenström

Move from overwhelmed to empowered. Dr. Stephen Ansell answers your pressing questions on WM diagnosis, “watch and wait,” and the latest treatment options.

Topics:

• The WM Identity: Understand why Waldenström’s is a “hybrid” cancer—sitting right between lymphoma and multiple myeloma—and why that matters for your diagnosis.
• The “Watch and Wait” Strategy: Discover why doing nothing is sometimes the most powerful treatment choice, especially if you have MGUS (an asymptomatic protein abnormality).
• Managing the Daily Impact: We break down how “thick blood” (hyperviscosity) affects your vision and thinking, and what you can do about it.
• Partnering with Your Team: Learn how to use biomarker results—like MYD88 and CXCR4 (genetic markers that guide treatment)—to have more informed conversations with your oncologist.
• Your Actionable Future: Get a clear look at the choice between time-limited infusions and long-term daily pills (BTK inhibitors) so you can choose what fits your lifestyle best.

Expert:

Stephen Ansell, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine, Department of Hematology
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN