5 answers about mantle cell lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the immune system, when cells called lymphocytes undergo mutations that lead to uncontrolled growth and spread.

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. There are two main types of lymphocytes: T cells and B cells. Likewise, there are two main types of lymphomas—T-cell lymphomas and B-cell lymphomas. The majority of lymphomas (roughly 85 percent) are B-cell lymphomas.

Mantle cell lymphoma is one type of B-cell lymphoma. It is less common than other subtypes—between 5 and 7 percent of all lymphomas are mantle cell lymphoma. It is more common in males and typically diagnosed between the ages of 60 and 70 years.

Why is it called mantle cell lymphoma?

Mantle cell lymphomas begin in the lymph nodes, small glands containing white blood cells that are located throughout the body and are a part of the immune system. The mantle zone is a region of cells inside a lymph node. Mantle cell lymphomas begin inside this region of cells.

What causes mantle cell lymphoma?

What causes mantle cell lymphoma is not fully understood. Like other forms of cancer, mantle cell lymphomas occur when normal cells undergo mutations and become cancerous. These mutations are caused by damage to a cell’s DNA—the genetic material that a cell uses to make copies of itself. Several genetic abnormalities have been associated with mantle cell lymphoma. In some cases, these abnormalities are inherited from a person’s biological parents. In most cases, mutations occur sporadically—this means that they occur at some point after a person is born.

What are the symptoms of mantle cell lymphoma?

Early-stage MCL may not cause any symptoms or any noticeable symptoms. The most common symptom is painless, swollen lymph nodes. These swollen lymph nodes often occur in the neck and throat, underarms, and groin, but can occur in any area of the body, and may occur in multiple areas throughout the body.

In most cases, MCL is diagnosed at an advanced stage when the cancer has spread to other areas of the body (metastasized). The GI tract, the spleen, and the bones are common sites for MCL to spread. Symptoms will vary depending on what organs and areas of the body the cancer has spread to.

People with MCL may also experience what are called “B symptoms,” which include unexplained weight loss, night sweats, and recurring fevers.

What is the goal of treating mantle cell lymphoma?

There is no treatment that can cure mantle cell lymphoma. The goal of treatment is remission. Remission refers to a reduction of symptoms and signs of the cancer, and a period of time during which the cancer is under control. Remission includes:

• Partial remission, where the symptoms and signs are reduced, but do not completely go away.
• Complete remission, where symptoms and signs of cancer go away completely. Complete remission is not the same as being cured, because there is always some chance that the cancer will recur.

Quality of life as a treatment goal

Another important goal of treatment is to maintain and improve a person’s quality of life while they are living with MCL. This can include social support, nutrition, physical health, and resources for addressing the emotional and psychological burdens of living with cancer.

Because cancer treatments cause side effects that can negatively affect quality of life, side effects should be discussed with a healthcare team when making treatment decisions. It’s also important for a person living with MCL to communicate with their healthcare team about any challenges they are experiencing.

How is mantle cell lymphoma treated?

Treatment is different for every person, and the decision of when and how to treat depends on multiple factors—the stage of the cancer, the symptoms it is causing, the results of biopsies and other tests, and the age and overall health of the person being treated.

Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are the most common treatments, and various drugs and combinations of drugs can be used. Different combinations of drugs are used when treating MCL for the first time and treating recurrences. Radiation therapy, stem cell transplants, and targeted therapy are also used to treat MCL. Targeted therapy drugs are designed to limit damage to normal cells while keeping cancer cells from growing, dividing, and spreading.

Treatment typically involves working with a team of healthcare providers with different specialties—and your healthcare providers will be your best source of information about diagnosis and treatment options.