Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Mantle Cell Lymphomais not the name you expected.

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.
.

Resources

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
1311 Mamaroneck Ave
3rd Floor
White Plains
NY
10605
Tel: (914)949-5213
Fax: (914)949-6691
800: (800)955-4572
infocenter@LLS.org
http://www.LLS.org

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta
GA
30329
USA
Tel: (404)320-3333
800: (800)227-2345
http://www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute Physician Data Query (PDQ) Cancer Information Service
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda
MD
20892
800: (800)422-6237
http://www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov/pdq.html

National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda
MD
20892-8322
USA
Tel: (301)435-3848
800: (800)422-6237
TDD: (800)332-8615
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
800: (877)622-7937
infor@canceradvocacy.org
http:// www.canceradvocacy.org

Cancer Hope Network
2 North Road
Suite A
Chester
NJ
07930
Tel: (908)879-4039
Fax: (908)879-6518
800: (877)467-3638
info@cancerhopenetwork.org
http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org

OncoLink: The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center Resource
3400 Spruce Street
2 Donner
Philadelphia
PA
19104-4283
USA
Tel: (215)349-5445
Fax: (215)349-5445
editors@oncolink.upenn.edu
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
http://www.accc-cancer.org

Lymphoma Research Foundation
111 Broadway
19th Floor
New York
NY
10006
USA
Tel: (212)349-2910
Fax: (212)349-2886
800: (800)235-6848
LRF@lymphoma.org
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
800: (888) 939-3333
ccs@cancer.ca
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
800: 866) 659-5556
info@lymphoma.ca
http://www.lymphoma.ca

Lymphoma Association (UK)
PO Box 386
Haddenham
Aylesbury
Bucks
Intl
HP20 2GA
United Kingdom
Tel: 01296 619400
lymphoma.org.uk
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
800: (800)422-7361
info@icare.org
http://www.icare.org

Rare Cancer Alliance
1649 North Pacana Way
Green Valley
AZ
85614
USA
Tel: (520)625-5495
Fax: (615)526-4921
sharon.lane@rare-cancer.org
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
info@focr.org
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
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
800: (888)793-9355
help@thewellnesscommunity.org
http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org

Lance Armstrong Foundation
PO Box 161550
Austin
TX
78716-1150
Tel: (512)236-8820
Fax: (512)236-8482
800: (866)235-7205
http://www.livestrong.org