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Copyright 2000, 2005
Synonyms of Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Disorder Subdivisions
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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Organizations related to Mantle Cell Lymphoma
- American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta GA 30329
Phone #: 404-320-3333
800 #: 800-227-2345
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.cancer.org
- Association of Community Cancer Centers
11600 Nebel Street, Suite 201
Rockville MD 20852-2557
Phone #: 301-984-9496
800 #: --
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.accc-cancer.org
- Canadian Cancer Society
55 St. Clair Avenue West Suite 500
Toronto None M4V 2Y7
Phone #: (41-6) -488-5400
800 #: 1 8-00 -268-8874
e-mail: webmaster@ontario.cancer.ca
Home page: http://www.cancer.ca/
- Cancer Hope Network
2 North Road
Suite A
Chester NJ 07930
Phone #: 908-879-4039
800 #: 800-552-4366
e-mail: info@cancerhopenetwork.org
Home page: http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org
- Cancer Support Community
919 18th Street N.W.
Suite 54
Washington DC 20006
Phone #: 202-659-9709
800 #: 888-793-9355
e-mail: N/A
Home page: www.cancersupportcommunity.org
- Friends of Cancer Research
2231 Crystal Drive
Suite 200
Arlington VA 22202
Phone #: 703-302-1503
800 #: N/A
e-mail: info@focr.org
Home page: http://www.focr.org
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
- International Cancer Alliance for Research and Education (ICARE)
4853 Cordell Avenue
Suite 14
Bethesda MD 20814
Phone #: 301-656-3461
800 #: 800-422-7361
e-mail: info@icare.org
Home page: http://www.icare.org
- Lance Armstrong Foundation
2201 E. Sixth Street
Austin TX 78702
Phone #: 512-236-8820
800 #: 877-236-8820
e-mail: media@livestrong.org
Home page: http://www.livestrong.org
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
1311 Mamaroneck Avenue
Suite 310
White Plains NY 10605
Phone #: 914-949-5213
800 #: 800-955-4572
e-mail: infocenter@LLS.org
Home page: http://www.LLS.org
- Lymphoma Association (UK)
PO Box 386
Aylesbury
Bucks Intl HP20 2GA
Phone #: 012-96 -619400
800 #: --
e-mail: lymphoma.org.uk
Home page: http://www.lymphoma.org.uk
- Lymphoma Foundation Canada
16-1375 Southdown Road
Suite 236
Mississauga
Ontario None L5J 2Z1
Phone #: (90-5) -822-5135
800 #: (86-6) -659-5556
e-mail: info@lymphoma.ca
Home page: http://www.lymphoma.ca
- Lymphoma Research Foundation
111 Broadway, 13th Floor
New York NY 10006
Phone #: 212-349-2910
800 #: 800-235-6848
e-mail: LRF@lymphoma.org
Home page: http://www.lymphoma.org
- National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda MD 20892-8322
Phone #: 301-435-3848
800 #: 800-422-6237
e-mail: cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov
Home page: http://www.cancer.gov
- National Cancer Institute Physician Data Query (PDQ) Cancer Information Service
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda MD 20892
Phone #: --
800 #: 800-422-6237
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov/pdq.html
- National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
1010 Wayne Avenue
Suite770
Silver Spring MD 20910-5600
Phone #: 301-650-9127
800 #: 877-622-7937
e-mail: infor@canceradvocacy.org
Home page: http://
- OncoLink: The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center Resource
3400 Spruce Street
2 Donner
Philadelphia PA 19104-4283
Phone #: 215-349-8895
800 #: --
e-mail: hampshire@uphs.upenn.edu
Home page: http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu
- Rare Cancer Alliance
1649 North Pacana Way
Green Valley AZ 85614
Phone #: 520-625-5495
800 #: --
e-mail: sharon.lane@rare-cancer.org
Home page: http://www.rare-cancer.org
- UCSF Hemophilia Treatment Center
400 Parnassus Ave.
First Floor
San Francisco CA 94143
Phone #: 415-353-2986
800 #: N/A
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/blood/hemophilia/index.html
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