Mantle Cell Lymphoma: General Overview
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2009/04/04 - Updated: 2023/01/30
Category Topic: Hodgkin's Lymphoma - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive (fast-growing) type of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. MCL diagnosis is obtained by pathologic review of a lymph node biopsy or bone marrow specimen.
Introduction
Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive (fast-growing) type of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are related malignancies (cancers) that affect the lymphatic system (lymphomas).
The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) has included Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) as a Compassionate Allowance to expedite a disability claim.
Main Content
It is marked by small to medium-sized cancer cells that may be in the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood, and gastrointestinal system.
Alternate Names:
- B-cell lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin's 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."
MCL results 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
- 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.
MCL primarily affects men over the age of 50 years.
Many affected individuals have widespread disease at diagnosis, with active regions often including multiple lymph nodes, the spleen, and, potentially, the bone marrow, the liver, and regions of the digestive (gastrointestinal) tract.
MCL diagnosis is obtained by pathologic review of a lymph node biopsy and bone marrow specimen. This usually includes flow cytometry testing and chromosomal analysis, which show CD5-positive cells, cyclin D1 protein over-expression, and translocation of chromosomes 11 and 14.
The treatment is chemotherapy, but the exact regimen of drugs may vary. Refractoriness to chemotherapy is usual, and unfortunately, high-dose stem cell transplants have not shown an overall survival benefit.
Classical MCL is characterized by an inferior prognosis. This cancer has the shortest average survival of all lymphoma types. Long-time survivors are rare; only a few patients with an overall survival over ten years have been reported.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.