[Waldenstrôm's macroglobulinemia. Developmental and prognostic study].

The course of 27 cases of Waldenström's macroglobuilinemia was observed during at least 2 years or until death. A worsening occurred in half of the patients, with 7 deaths before 2 years. 10 patients improved under therapy, with only two deaths later. The more frequent complications were infections, but other complications, haemorragic, neurologic, osseous and renal were also observed. A haemoglobin initial level higher than 9 g % and a significant decrease of lymphocyte blood count under chemotherapy seem to be of good prognosis.