Dr. James R. Berenson Added to International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee

Online, March 12, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Known as the IWMF, the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation is a patient education and advocacy organization providing both patient and physician resources while raising money to fund critical research for this rare disease.

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) is a malignant monoclonal gammopathy and is considered to be lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma as defined by the Revised European American Lymphoma Classification (REAL) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The clinical features of this rare disease result from the presence of IgM paraprotein and infiltration of the bone marrow with lymphoplasmacytic cells. The clinical features are similar to those of multiple myeloma (MM) except that an enlarged spleen or liver is common in WM and uncommon in MM, while bone lesions and renal disease are common in MM and uncommon in WM.

Known primarily for his research in the field of multiple myeloma, Dr. Berenson has been involved in research and the treatment of patients with WM for more than 25 years. As Medical and Scientific Director for the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Berenson is considered an expert in the field. "I am honored to be part of the Scientific Advisory Committee of IWMF and look forward to working with other medical professionals in researching and investigating this rare disease. As one of the few physicians in Los Angeles to treat Waldenstrom's patients in both a research and clinical setting, I feel I will be able to offer additional insights to this group."

WM affects approximately 1,500 new patients each year in the United States. The median age at diagnosis is 63 years. While prognosis after diagnosis is improving, the IWMF and doctors like Dr. Berenson are committed to ongoing research to find a cure.

For more information on Dr. Berenson, please visit www.berensononcology.com or to learn about his research specific to Myeloma, MGUS, Amyloidosis or WM, visit www.imbcr.org. For more information on the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation please visit www.iwmf.org.