Clone-specific MYD88 L265P and CXCR4 mutation status can provide clinical utility in suspected Waldenström macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.

•Sorted B- and plasma cells are clonally unrelated in the majority of suspected LPL.•MYD88 L265P is found in both fractions for confirmed WM, but not for suspected LPL.•Specificity of MYD88 L265P is enhanced when detected in both B- and plasma cells.•Sensitivity for CXCR4 analysis is increased by flow cytometric cell sorting.•Magnetic beads cannot replace flow cytometric cell sorting for molecular analysis.