| Examined under the microscope, the Mantle | | | | diagnosed more frequently in women. This type |
| cell lymphoma appears as an expansion of the | | | | of cancer has the shortest average survival |
| mantle zone area of the lymph nodes.It is | | | | of all lymphomas. |
| represented by a homogenous population of | | | | |
| malignant small lymphoid cells, which are | | | | Nowadays the cause of MCL is unknown. It has |
| cancerous cells that travel from the bone | | | | many symptoms that appears in other lymphomas |
| marrow to the lymph nodes and spleen. They | | | | too. Patients generally complain of fatigue, |
| are different from the normal lymphocytes, | | | | low grade fevers, night sweats, weight loss, |
| they are not mature properly. Mantle cell | | | | anemia, rashes, digestive disturbances, |
| lymphoma is a rare type of Non- hodgkin's | | | | chronic sinus irritation, recurrent |
| lymphoma. | | | | infections, sore throat, shortness of breath, |
| | | | muscle and bone aches and edema. A more |
| The lymphocytes are white blood cells | | | | specific symptom is the spleen enlargement. |
| produced by the immune system of the human | | | | This clinical aspect is present especially in |
| body. Regarding their origin, there are two | | | | the nodular type of MCL. An early stage is |
| types of immune cells, the B cells which are | | | | the swollen lymph nodes. At the beginning |
| made in the bone marrow and the T cells which | | | | this has no explanation because the general |
| are made in the thymus. After they are made | | | | health of the patient is good. Anemia is |
| they are eliminated in the lymph which is a | | | | another syptom that characterizes MCL, but it |
| clear liquid that bathes tissues and | | | | is a mild type of anemia. Some patients can |
| circulates in the lymphatic system. The | | | | also report lower back pain and burning pain |
| lymphatic system in the place where occur the | | | | in the legs and testicles. In an advanced |
| cancers known as lymphomas. If the B cells | | | | stage of the MCL the lymph nodes increase in |
| are affected there can be a Non-Hodgkin's | | | | volume, the general health is compromised and |
| lymphoma which include follicular lymphomas, | | | | the symptoms become more pronounced. In the |
| small non-cleaved cell lymphomas (Burkitt's | | | | end stage the MCL spreads to the central |
| lymphomas), marginal zone lymphomas (MALT | | | | nervous system and appear the neurological |
| lymphomas), small lymphocyte lymphomas, large | | | | symptoms. |
| cell lymphomas. In this category of diseases | | | | |
| is included the mantle cell lymphomas too. | | | | As MCL is very similar to several other |
| | | | lymphoma types, imunologic tests are |
| At the beginning, the MCL cells develops in | | | | recommended for a correct diagnosis. One of |
| limited areas. Regarding this aspect there | | | | this kind of tests is Immunophenotyping which |
| are three subsets of MCL cells: the mantle | | | | determine what kind of surface molecules are |
| zone type, the nodular type and the blastic | | | | present on cells, and which is the exact type |
| or immature type. In the most cases these | | | | of lymphoma, from a tissue sample. |
| various types develop together and the | | | | |
| diagnoses are of mixed mantle and nodular | | | | When the diagnosis is sure it must be known |
| type. During the development of the MCL the | | | | that mantle cell lymphoma has already spread |
| non-cancerous mantle centers also become | | | | into many other tissues such as the lymph |
| invaded by cancerous cells. In about 20% of | | | | nodes, spleen, bone marrow or to the ring of |
| these cases, the cells become larger and they | | | | adenoid, palatine and lingual tonsils at the |
| are imature ones. | | | | back of the mouth or even to the |
| | | | gastrointestinal tract. If the MCL spread to |
| As it is initially slow-growing, this type of | | | | the colon it is diagnosed as multiple |
| cancer it was first believed to be a | | | | lymphomatous polyposis. |
| low-grade cancer, but the average survival | | | | |
| rate it was substantially shortened. Because | | | | The treatment for MCL is established |
| of the mixed nature of MCL cells, specialists | | | | depending on the type of MCL and it stage. |
| tend to give this disease a new | | | | |
| classification. The presence of the blastic | | | | There is no standard treatment for MCL |
| type of cells is considered as a high-grade | | | | patients. The patients diagnosed with MCL |
| cancer because it spreads at about the rate | | | | have been treated with surgery, radiation, |
| of other lymphomas belonging to that | | | | single drug or combination chemotherapy and |
| category. It is very important to describe | | | | stem cell transplants. The most common |
| the precise nature of these cells, because | | | | chemotherapy regimens for treating MCL |
| this may help specialists involved in the | | | | includes the drugs: Cyclophosphamide |
| study of MCL to get to an agreement. | | | | (cytoxan, neosar), adriamycin (doxorubicin or |
| | | | Hydroxydoxorubicin), vincristine (Oncovin), |
| Mantle cell lymphoma affects persons with | | | | and Prednisone and it is called CHOP. |
| ages between 50 - 70 years and it is | | | | |