Glossary
The state-of-the-art glossary for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia.
Cryoglobulinemia
Cryoglobulinemia in the glossary for Waldenström's macroglobulinemia
In cryoglobulinemia, abnormal blood proteins called cryoglobulins clump together at cold temperatures.
In cryoglobulinemia, abnormal blood proteins called cryoglobulins, specifically immunoglobulins (i.e., IgG, IgM, IgA or light chains), clump together at cold temperatures, restricting blood flow and causing damage to skin, muscles, nerves, and organs—especially the kidneys.
While the exact cause of cryoglobulinemia is not known, more than 90 percent of cases are associated with chronic HCV infections. Cryoglobulinemia is also associated with other underlying inflammatory diseases, including lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome as well as blood cancers such as lymphoma.
Glossary overview