Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system which is an immune system of the body that helps fight off infections. Lymphoma develops in the type of white blood cell known as lymphocytes that continue to grow abnormally and out of control. This can travel to other parts of the body and affect the spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, blood and various other organs. The two main types of lymphocytes are known as B-cells and T-cells. The mantle cell lymphoma is a B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that most often develops among men over the age of 60. This cancer is known as mantle cell lymphoma as it initially starts from the mantle zone of the lymph node and is normally diagnosed as a late stage of cancer that has also affected the gastrointestinal tract and the bone marrow.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this type of cancer are similar to the other types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The common symptom is the painless, swelling of the lymph node in the neck, under the arms and the groin. Additional symptoms include heavy nighttime sweating, fever and unintended weight loss. If this cancer spreads and affects other parts of the body such as the stomach and the bowel, it can cause the associated symptoms such as sickness, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The swelling of the lymph node that persists for longer than 6 weeks should be evaluated by the medical professional. The non-Hodgkin lymphoma is usually divided into two groups based on how they continue to grow and spread. This includes indolent cancer which is slow growing and aggressive cancer that can continue to grow fast.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on the clinical evaluation, the symptoms evident, a physical examination and various tests. The physical examination detects the swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, under the arms and the groin. The examination will also consist of determining whether swelling of internal organs such as the spleen and the liver is also evident. The blood tests can assess the number and the health of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. It can also measure the level of the certain enzyme such as lactate dehydrogenase that can suggest the progression of the lymphoma. A biopsy involves a procedure that removes a sample of tissue cells from the lymph node that is examined under the microscope for cancer. Additional tests include x-ray imaging, CT scan, MRI scan that can detect whether other organs are involved. A bone marrow biopsy may also be necessary to determine if the bone marrow is involved.
Treatment
The mantle cell lymphoma is difficult to be completely cured as it seems to relapse quickly after treatment. The treatment is based on the stage of lymphoma, the age of the individual, their health, the symptoms evident and their choice of treatment. Some of the individuals with the mantle cell lymphoma can have the indolent form of cancer and hence the watch and wait approach may be taken. The high-grade lymphoma is usually treated with intravenous chemotherapy. The gentler treatment of chemotherapy is given for those who are less healthy or having trouble with side effects from previous treatments. The gentler chemotherapy can help control lymphoma, ease symptoms with few side effects. Stem cell transplants are optional although it has a lot of risks as well as benefits.
References
https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/mantle-cell-lymphoma/
http://www.lymphoma.org/site/pp.asp?c=bkLTKaOQLmK8E&b=6300157