What Is the Survival Rate of Mantle Cell Lymphoma? MCL

Many patients with mantle cell lymphoma may not notice signs and symptoms during the early stages of the disease. Most seek medical attention for persistent, painless swelling of lymph nodes around the neck and throat. They may have enlargement of other lymph nodes in the following areas:

• Elbows or shoulders
• Arms (axillae)
• Chest
• Abdomen
• Pelvic regions

Other common signs and symptoms include:

• Fever
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Abdominal distention
• Anemia
• Fatigue

Less common symptoms include those that affect the digestive system, lungs, and nervous system:

• Lack of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Sense of fullness even after having a small meal
• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Pain in the limbs due to neuropathy
• Infections

Treatment of MCL is difficult because nearly 70% of patients get diagnosed at stage IV. By this time, MCL has already spread to most parts of the body. 

Depending on the progression of the MCL, doctors may suggest any of the following approaches:

1. Wait-and-watch

Some patients with MCL have a slow-growing cancer called indolent mantle cell lymphoma. In such cases, the wait-and-watch approach may be suggested, which can help patients avoid the side effects of standard cancer treatments. The patient will be monitored over 6 months to 1 year to check the growth and spread of the cancer. Treatment will be initiated accordingly.

2. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves the administration of drugs in the form of injections or oral pills. These drugs work to destroy the cancerous cells and help shrink the tumor. With MCL, a combination of chemotherapy drugs is used. The most common medication is rituximab, which is administered intravenously.

3. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy involves using the patient’s immune system to fight the cancer. Some drugs attach to the surface of cancer cells while others enhance the natural ability of the patient’s immune system cells to work against the cancer.

4. Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is often selected as second-line treatment if chemotherapy and immunotherapy do not work. It involves the use of X-rays to target specific areas of the body that harbor lymphoma.

5. Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is typically reserved for patients whose MCL comes back after chemotherapy and immunotherapy. It involves using drugs (in the form of oral pills) that target specific processes or molecules in cancer cells.

6. Stem cell transplant

Stem cell transplant is the last resort for patients for whom other treatments fail to work. It involves using the bone marrow of the patient or a donor to harvest new cells that can produce blood cells. Once the stem cell transplant is successful and the patient’s body can produce enough blood cells, high-dose chemotherapy is used to fight the existing MCL.