The Histopathology of the Macroglobulinemia of Waldenström

Abstract

The histopathologic, phase microscopic, and clinical pathologic features of macroglobulinemia are described. The presence of lymphoid plasma cells containing intranuclear periodic acid-Schiff positive material is noted in two cases with the macroglobulinemia of Waldenström and in one with the Bing-Neel syndrome. It is suggested that this material and the intranuclear “vacuoles” observed in phase microscopy are chemically identical to the circulating 18S, hexose-rich γ-macroglobulin. The classification of the macroglobulinemia of Waldenström as a neoplasm of reticuloendothelial origin is mentioned and the differentiation between this disease, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma is discussed.