Rituximab in Treating Patients With Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia confirmed by the following: Bone marrow lymphoplasmacytosis with: Greater than 10% lymphoplasmacytic cells OR Aggregates, sheets, lymphocytes, plasma cells, or lymphoplasmacytic cells on bone marrow biopsy AND Measurable disease defined as quantitative IgM monoclonal protein greater than 1,000 mg/dL Bone marrow lymphoplasmacytosis and beta-2 microglobulin in the serum are not considered measurable Impaired bone marrow function due to infiltration by lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma Hemoglobin less than 11 g/dL OR Serum viscosity level relative to water greater than 4.0 Symptomatic with clinically significant anemia (less than 11 g/dL), bulky lymphadenopathy that is symptomatic, or symptoms attributable to hyperviscosity (e.g., nose bleeding, gingival bleeding, retinal hemorrhage) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-3 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Hepatic: SGOT less than 3 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 3.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No myocardial infarction within past 6 months No significant arrhythmia within past 3 months Hypertension allowed provided controlled with medication Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception Concurrent reversible complications (e.g., hyperuricemia, hyperviscosity) allowed provided therapy for complicati…