A blood cancer occurring in the White Blood Cells (WBC) in the lymph nodes is called mantle cell lymphoma. This is a rare blood cancer that develops slowly before it begins to grow faster.
Unfortunately, the cure for this type of cancer does not exist. But you can find treatments that put the condition into remission. Remission is when the person shows no signs of cancer in the tests. Medical researchers are testing new medications or therapies to extend the remission periods. Here is a brief about what Is mantle cell lymphoma, what its causes are, and more.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Short Overview
The body’s lymphatic system has lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, and bone marrow. It also comprises the thymus and spleen. The lymphatic system is a network of organs and tissues that produce white blood cells to combat infections and other illnesses.
Lymphocytes B cells and T cells are the two types of white cells that the system
produces. Mantle cell lymphoma occurs in the Lymphocytes B cells and is a subtype of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Mantle Cell Lymphoma
There are numerous signs and symptoms of mantle cell lymphoma. Some of the common ones are:
- Night sweats
- Heartburn or bloating
- Loss of appetite and weight reduction
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Feeling of fullness or pain from enlarged liver or tonsils
- Pain in the lower back
- Fever
How Serious Is Mantle Cell Lymphoma? Is Mantle Cell Lymphoma Curable?
Mantle Cell Lymphoma is a severe ailment. It is likely to spread in no time and turn into a more severe form of cancer. It is an untreatable lymphoma, but in the majority of instances, treatment can help in putting the ailment into remission.
The bad news is that the cancer that has been treated is not the same as the cancer in remission. The remission period of mantle cell lymphoma can remain for a few months or even years before the ailment returns.
Stages of Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Typically, mantle cell lymphoma has four stages. Stages 1 and 2 are the earliest stages of this lymphoma, while stages 3 and 4 are the advanced stages. Here is a detailed explanation of mantle cell lymphoma stages:
Early Stages
You may be prescribed radiotherapy in the earliest stages of mantle cell lymphoma. Radiotherapy may give you long-term benefits. In some cases, it may treat the cancer, but in others, it may return, requiring additional treatment.
Advanced Stages
You will be asked to partake in a clinical trial when you are in the advanced stages of cancer. The consultant will see which one will suit you, but if there is no suitable clinical trial, the medical team may prescribe a course of chemotherapy. It may even comprise an antibody therapy like rituximab.
What Causes Mantle Cell Lymphoma?
As we have already discussed, this rare cancer impacts the lymphatic system. It mainly happens in the B-cells (the WBCs found in the lymphatic system).
Moreover, the cancer is likely to spread with time. It is generally found in lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and gastrointestinal system. But what are the causes of it? A genetic mutation in the DNA of chromosomes 11 and 14 may be responsible for cancer development. Due to the mutation, the cells produce excess protein that results in rapid cell growth and gives rise to cancer.
How Bad Is Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma?
Stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma is usually the most difficult phase for the patient. Stages 1 and 2 of mantle cell lymphoma are treatable with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
There has been a great study on the treatment of advanced-stage cancer. Treatment for Stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma may begin with chemoimmunotherapy to stop the spreading of cancerous cells.
It may not be easier to cure stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma, and there can be chances of relapse after chemotherapy. Moreover, the patient may not go through remission as the condition can become resistant to chemo.
A late-stage diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma may sound frightening. The patient’s age, a certain mutation in cancer cells, and disease stage are some factors affecting the prognosis of mantle cell lymphoma. The healthcare expert will examine your prognosis as an indicator of overall survival. This is the percentage of people surviving a given period after a diagnosis.
As per studies, there are 50 per cent chances of a 5-year overall survival rate for those with stage-4 mantle cell lymphoma.
Is Mantle Cell Lymphoma Hereditary?
Genetics may not be responsible for developing mantle cell lymphoma. However, a person is more likely to develop mantle cell lymphoma if they have a family history of this cancer.
Certain genetic DNA mutations related to lymphoma, mainly Hodgkin lymphoma, run in families. They might go from parents to offspring.
According to researchers, mutations in genes controlling cell division and cell death play a big part in lymphoma development. This may include mantle cell lymphoma, too.
Who Are Affected The Most With This Cancer?
More often than not, people belonging to the age group of 60-70 are likely to suffer from mantle cell lymphoma. Compared to females, this cancer is three times more probable to occur in males and those who are designated male at birth.
It can even occur in those with an ailment that weakens their immune system. Someone suffering from an autoimmune condition like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjögren’s syndrome is also at risk.
One out of 10 individuals who have mantle cell lymphoma experience a slow version of the ailment. But, for a majority of folks, this is an aggressive cancer needing an immediate cure.
Also Read: What Are The Various Neuroendocrine Tumor Treatments?
How Mantle Cell Lymphoma Is Diagnosed?
For a proper diagnosis of this cancer, the doctor may perform a physical test and might ask you questions like:
- Are you feeling less hungry than normal?
- Do you often feel tired?
- Have you lost weight in the recent past?
- Do you have any swelling in the neck, groin, or armpit?
Besides asking the above questions, your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose your cancer:
Biopsy
In the Biopsy procedure, the doctor may check a tissue sample inside a lymph node. They will either take out the entire lymph or some part to perform that.
PET Scan
In a PET scan, the doctor uses a small amount of radioactive material to check signs of cancer growth.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor views the inside of the colon with the help of a thin, lighted tube. To carry out a colonoscopy, the doctor puts this tube into the rectum of the patient. The patient doesn’t feel pain during the procedure as they are not awake.
Blood Tests
Blood tests can help a doctor to reveal the number of blood cells you have and how well your kidneys and liver are working. It also indicates whether you have certain proteins in your blood that suggest you have cancer.
CT Scan
Computed tomography scan or CT scan is another procedure to diagnose mantle cell lymphoma. It is a powerful X-ray that gives clear images of your bones and soft tissues.
Treatments For Mantle Cell Lymphoma
The treatment for mantle cell lymphoma differs depending on an individual’s situation. Some individuals may have this cancer without any signs or symptoms. If that is your case, your doctor might tell you to go for watchful waiting over initial treatment. Healthcare professionals generally use chemoimmunotherapy as a starting treatment.
Here is a brief about the treatments for mantle cell lymphoma:
Watchful Waiting
Doctors usually check your general health and watch for signs before the initial treatment.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy aids in combating cancer by raising your immune system’s health. During the immunotherapy, the doctors will also use a drug, lenalidomide. This drug is helpful for the mantle cell lymphoma that returns post-treatment or fails to respond to treatment.
Radiation Therapy
Medical experts sometimes recommend external beam radiation therapy for this type of cancer. Radiation therapy may be used on the affected areas of lymph nodes. This treatment is usually given in the earliest stages of the ailment or to ease the cancer signs.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
In monoclonal antibody therapy, medical professionals utilize lab-made antibodies to locate and eradicate particular cancerous cells.
Chemotherapy
In chemotherapy, there is the use of medications or drugs to kill cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is a common starting treatment for mantle cell lymphoma. Moreover, it is often given with both drugs and a targeted therapy drug. Here are a few names of chemotherapy drugs:
- Rituximab
- Hydroxydaunomycin
- Prednisone
- Vincristine sulfate
- Cyclophosphamide
- Doxorubicin
- Dexamethasone
Cell Transplant
With high-dosage chemotherapy, medical professionals may recommend a stem cell transplant. Your bone marrow has stem cells that aid in producing new blood cells. In a stem cell transplant, the healthcare provider will give a drug. This drug is a growth factor that lets your stem cells move from the bone marrow to the bloodstream. The doctors extract the cells from your blood and, at times, they even keep them frozen for later use.
Maintenance Therapy
If your mantle cell lymphoma goes into remission because of the starting treatment, your doctor will generally use monoclonal antibody therapy. This acts as an ongoing therapy to prevent the ailment from recurring.
What Is The Survival Rate Of Mantle Cell Lymphoma?
The survival rate of mantle cell lymphoma may differ. It depends on whether the illness is aggressive or slow-growing. However, in general, people undergoing this type of cancer live for about 2 to 9 years following the diagnosis. According to research, those who are at a greater risk for relapse may survive for two years following the diagnosis. But, those at a lower risk for relapse live about five years.
Questions You Need To Ask Your Practitioner
You should be clear about your condition and the treatment you will receive. For that, here are a few questions to ask your doctor:
- What side effects may I experience after treatment?
- Do I have to visit a doctor specializing in treating lymphomas?
- What treatment options will you recommend?
- At what stage is mantle cell lymphoma?
- Will I need to go for follow-up care?
How is life living with a mantle cell lymphoma?
Anyone having mantle cell lymphoma means they are living with an incurable ailment. But, with certain treatments, the ailment can be put into remission for a whole.
Often, mantle cell lymphoma is likely to relapse (returns). Also, you may undergo multiple remission phases and need new treatment when the signs reoccur.
Maybe you spend lots of time and energy thinking about the relapse. Aside from that, you may be bothered about the negative effects of another treatment. Having such feelings is quite normal. If you are constantly feeling worried about the future, pay a visit to your healthcare provider to get support. Nobody except your healthcare provider knows your medical condition better.
When you get treatment for the lymphoma, you may have to visit your healthcare provider regularly. They will aid in managing your stress post-treatment side effects and check your overall well-being. If your condition has gone into remission, you may visit your provider for follow-up care and maintenance therapy.
Conclusion
Looking for the right treatment approach to fight effectively against Mantle Cell Lymphoma? University Cancer Centers is a reputable name in the healthcare industry and is known to provide the right guidance to cancer patients and their families. Thus, if you have recently got a diagnosis and need guidance with Mantle Cell Lymphoma treatment, consider consulting our experts. To book a consultation, Click Here.
