Mantle Cell Lymphoma

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Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Mantle Cell Lymphoma is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• None

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) belongs to a group of diseases known as non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, which are related malignancies (cancers) that affect the lymphatic system (lymphomas). Functioning as part of the immune system, the lymphatic system helps to protect the body against infection and disease. It consists of a network of tubular channels (lymph vessels) that drain a thin watery fluid known as lymph from different areas of the body into the bloodstream. Lymph accumulates in the tiny spaces between tissue cells and contains proteins, fats, and certain white blood cells known as lymphocytes.



As lymph moves through the lymphatic system, it is filtered by a network of small structures known as lymph nodes that help to remove microorganisms (e.g., viruses, bacteria, etc.) and other foreign bodies. Groups of lymph nodes are located throughout the body, including in the neck, under the arms (axillae), at the elbows, and in the chest, abdomen, and groin. Lymphocytes are stored within lymph nodes and may also be found in other lymphatic tissues. In addition to the lymph nodes, the lymphatic system includes the spleen, which filters worn-out red blood cells and produces lymphocytes, and the tonsils, which are masses of lymphoid tissue in the throat region that help to fight infection. Lymphatic tissues also include the thymus, a relatively small organ behind the breastbone that is thought to play an important role in the immune system until puberty, as well as the bone marrow, which is the spongy tissue inside the cavities of bones that manufactures blood cells. Lymphatic tissue or circulating lymphocytes may also be located in other regions of the body, such as the skin, small intestine, liver, and other organs. There are two main types of lymphocytes: B-lymphocytes, which may produce specific antibodies to "neutralize" certain invading microorganisms, and T-lymphocytes, which may directly destroy microorganisms or assist in the activities of other lymphocytes.



Mantle cell lymphoma and other cancers of the lymphatic system (lymphomas) result from errors in the production of a lymphocyte or transformation of a lymphocyte into a malignant cell. Abnormal, uncontrolled growth and multiplication (proliferation) of malignant lymphocytes may lead to enlargement of a specific lymph node region or regions; involvement of other lymphatic tissues, such as the spleen and bone marrow; and spread to other bodily tissues and organs, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The specific symptoms and physical findings may vary from case to case, depending upon the extent and region(s) of involvement and other factors.



Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) may be broadly classified into lymphomas that arise from abnormal B-lymphocytes (B-cell lymphomas) and those derived from abnormal T-lymphocytes (T-cell lymphomas). Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a B-cell lymphoma that develops from malignant B-lymphocytes within a region of the lymph node known as the mantle zone. NHLs may also be categorized based upon certain characteristics of the cancer cells as seen under a microscope and how quickly they may tend to grow and spread. For example, NHLs may be characterized as "low-grade" (or indolent) lymphomas, which tend to grow slowly and result in few associated symptoms, or "intermediate-" or "high-grade" (aggressive) lymphomas, which typically grow rapidly, requiring prompt treatment. There is some debate concerning whether MCL should be categorized as a slow-growing (indolent) or rapidly-growing (aggressive) lymphoma. Although experts have classified MCL as an aggressive lymphoma, it has been shown to have certain characteristics of indolent lymphoma.



According to various estimates, MCL represents approximately 2 to 7 percent of adult NHLs in the United States and Europe. It primarily affects men over the age of 50 years. Many affected individuals have widespread disease at diagnosis, with involved regions often including multiple lymph nodes, the spleen, and, potentially, the bone marrow, the liver, and/or regions of the digestive (gastrointestinal) tract.

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Resources

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

1311 Mamaroneck Ave

3rd Floor

White Plains, NY 10605

Tel: (914)949-5213

Fax: (914)949-6691

Tel: (800)955-4572

Email: infocenter@LLS.org

Internet: http://www.LLS.org



American Cancer Society, Inc.

1599 Clifton Road NE

Atlanta, GA 30329

USA

Tel: 4043203333

Tel: 8002272345

Internet: http://www.cancer.org



National Cancer Institute Physician Data Query (PDQ) Cancer Information Service

9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, MD 20892

Tel: (800)422-6237

Internet: http://www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov/pdq.html



National Cancer Institute

6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A

Bethesda, MD 20892-8322

USA

Tel: 3014353848

Tel: 8004226237

TDD: 8003328615

Internet: http://www.cancer.gov



National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

1010 Wayne Avenue

Suite770

Silver Spring, MD 20910-5600

Tel: (301)650-9127

Fax: (301)565-9670

Tel: (877)622-7937

Email: infor@canceradvocacy.org

Internet: http:// www.canceradvocacy.org



Cancer Hope Network

2 North Road

Suite A

Chester, NJ 07930

Tel: (908)879-4039

Fax: (908)879-6518

Tel: (877)467-3638

Email: info@cancerhopenetwork.org

Internet: http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org



OncoLink: The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center Resource

3400 Spruce Street

2 Donner

Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283

USA

Tel: 2153495445

Fax: 2153495445

Email: editors@oncolink.upenn.edu

Internet: http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu



Association of Community Cancer Centers

11600 Nebel Street

#201

Rockville, MD 20852

Tel: (301)984-9496

Fax: (301)770-1949

Internet: http://www.accc-cancer.org



Lymphoma Research Foundation

111 Broadway

19th Floor

New York, NY 10006

USA

Tel: 2123492910

Fax: 2123492886

Tel: 8002356848

Email: LRF@lymphoma.org

Internet: http://www.lymphoma.org



Canadian Cancer Society

10 Alcorn Avenue

Suite 200

Toronto

Toronto, M4V 3B1

Canada

Tel: (416) 961-7223

Fax: (416) 961-4189

Tel: (888) 939-3333

Email: ccs@cancer.ca

Internet: http://www.cancer.ca/



Lymphoma Foundation Canada

16-1375 Southdown Road

Suite 236

Mississauga

Ontario, L5J 2Z1

Canada

Tel: (905) 822-5135

Fax: (905) 278-1524

Tel: 866) 659-5556

Email: info@lymphoma.ca

Internet: http://www.lymphoma.ca



Lymphoma Association (UK)

PO Box 386

Haddenham

Aylesbury

Bucks, Intl HP20 2GA

United Kingdom

Tel: 01296 619400

Email: lymphoma.org.uk

Internet: http://www.lymphoma.org.uk



International Cancer Alliance for Research and Education

4853 Cordell Avenue

Suite 14

Bethesda, MD 20814

Tel: (301)656-3461

Fax: (301)654-8684

Tel: (800)422-7361

Email: info@icare.org

Internet: http://www.icare.org



Rare Cancer Alliance

1649 North Pacana Way

Green Valley, AZ 85614

USA

Tel: 5206255495

Fax: 6155264921

Email: sharon.lane@rare-cancer.org

Internet: http://www.rare-cancer.org



Friends of Cancer Research

2231 Crystal Drive

Suite 200

Arlington, VA 22202

Tel: (703)302-1503

Fax: (703)302-1568

Email: info@focr.org

Internet: http://www.focr.org



UCSF Hemophilia Treatment Center

400 Parnassus Ave.

First Floor

San Francisco, CA 94143

Tel: (415)353-2986

Fax: (415)353-2600

Internet: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/blood/hemophilia/index.html



Wellness Community

919 18th Street N.W.

Suite 54

Washington, DC 20006

Tel: (202)659-9709

Fax: (202)659-9301

Tel: (888)793-9355

Email: help@thewellnesscommunity.org

Internet: http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org



Lance Armstrong Foundation

PO Box 161550

Austin, TX 78716-1150

Tel: (512)236-8820

Fax: (512)236-8482

Tel: (866)235-7205

Internet: http://www.livestrong.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  4/25/2008

Copyright  2000, 2005 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

Last updated:	April 25, 2008