mantle cell lymphoma treatment | Mantle cell lymphoma (LCM)

Mantle cell lymphoma (LCM)

When we talk about "malignant lymphomas" or "lymphomas", we mean a cancerous disease in which there is an uncontrolled growth of altered, immature or cancerous t or B lymphocytes that attack isolated lymph organs. There are in all more than 60 subspecies of lymphomas. Lymphomas can be classified into two subgroups: Hodgkin's lymphomas, so called because of the name of their discoverer, Thomas Hodgkin, and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). Mantle cell lymphoma is a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and appears if a certain type of white blood cell, called B lymphocytes, becomes cancerous and proliferates uncontrollably in the mantle area, area surrounding the follicles lymph nodes. In Switzerland 1500 people are suffering from one NHL a year, 500 people die every year. Mantle cell lymphoma is all over Europe responsible for about 5% of all NHL diseases and the average age during diagnosis is 60 years. Men are affected four times more often than women.

Good to know: mantle cell lymphoma (LCM)

Blood – Blood Formation blood is composed of blood cells and liquid (plasma). The cells form about 45% of the blood.
There are three types of blood cells
The red blood cells are used to transport oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.
The white blood cells are responsible for the defenses against the pathogens.
Platelets are responsible for hemostasis, after injuries for example etc.
The white blood cells are in turn divided into three groups: Granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes. There are two kinds of lymphocytes, responsible for the control of pathogens and foreign bodies: T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes.

B lymphocytes are formed in so-called germ centers or lymphatic follicles. They are clusters of round-shaped B cells that are delimited outward, which appear wherever there are many pathogens to be fought – especially in the lymph nodes, spleen and tonsils. During the formation of mantle cell lymphoma, there is an uncontrolled growth of immature or cancerous B lymphocytes. These tumor cells without defense function accumulate first where they are formed, so for example in the lymph nodes and/or spleen. The accumulation of these tumor cells leads to swelling, first of isolated lymph nodes, and then to the expansion of these cells throughout the body of several lymph nodes or spleen.

Because

The exact cause of non-Hodgkin lymphomas has not yet been clarified and continues to be the subject of intensive research. A defective immune system, prolonged infections caused by viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus, HIV, hepatitis C virus, or immunosuppressive therapies that suppress people's natural defense system can Cause an increased risk of getting sick of cancer lymphoma. It is assumed that environmental poisons are also part of these risks. On the other hand, a genetic predisposition is rather excluded.

Symptoms

The possible symptoms of mantle cell lymphoma are swollen lymph nodes that often manifest themselves to several parts of the body, limited performance capacity, unexplainable weight loss or strong nocturnal sweats . If the bone marrow is reached, it can cause a decrease in blood cells, which in turn strengthens fatigue and causes respiratory distress in the event of efforts.

Treatment Options in patients under 60 – 65 years who do not have concurrent illnesses, intensive therapeutic methods are used. Chemotherapy treatments ending with high-dose chemotherapy and transplantation of blood stem cells are part of it. In older patients, less intensive drug therapy methods are used.

Sources:

Swiss League Against Cancer, Bern, brochure "Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas", 3rd revised edition, 2006, 2008, 2013
Swiss League Against Cancer, Bern, brochure "Cancer in Switzerland: A tour of Horizon", 1st edition, 2017
Gerd Herold und Mitarbeiter; Innere Medizin, Gerd Herold, Köln, 2018
Swiss League Against Cancer, Bern, brochure "Multiple Myeloma, plasmacytoma" 2018
Ho/NoHo – Schweizerische Patientenorganisation, Broschüre "Lymphoma – ein Leitfaden für Betroffene und Member" (German only)