Mantle Cell Lymphoma Health Article

Special concerns

Special concerns that apply to lymphoma patients may also apply to MCL patients. Because MCL is a cancer that usually involves chemotherapy and radiation therapy, it can be severely damaging to organ function and long-term resistance. In addition to the immediate side effects of these treatments, other effects appear after treatment is completed, one of which, called Post-Cancer Fatigue (PCF), is often seen with lymphoma patients. This is fatigue that persists after treatment and can sometimes be extreme. The medical team will be able to offer the best advice to deal with PCF.

See Also Acute lymphocytic leukemia; Central nervous system lymphomas

Resources

BOOKS

Cabanillas, F. Advances in Lymphoma Research. New York:Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1998.

Cannellos, G. P., T. A. Lister, J. L. Sklar, and R. Lampert, eds. The Lymphomas. St. Louis: W. B. Saunders Co., 1998.

Magrath, T., ed. The Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas. London: E.Arnold, 1997.

PERIODICALS

Argatoff, L., J. Connors, R. Klasa, D. Horsman, R. Gascoyne."Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Clinicopathologic Study of80 Cases." Blood 89 (1997):2067-78.

Grosfeld, J. L. "Risk-based Management of Solid Tumors in Children." In American Journal of Surgery 180 (November 2000): 322-7

Majlis, A., W. Pugh, M. Rodriguez, W. Benedict, and F. Cabanillas. "Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Correlation of Clinical Outcome and Biologic Features with Three HistologicVariants." In Journal of Clinical Oncology 15 (1997):1664-71.

Meusers, P., J. Hense, and G. Brittinger. "Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Diagnostic Criteria, Clinical Aspects and Therapeutic Problems." In Leukemia 11 (1997) Suppl. 2:S60-4.

ORGANIZATIONS

The Lymphoma Research Foundation of America 8800 Venice Blvd., Suite 207, Los Angeles, CA 90034. (310) 204-7040. <http://www.lymphoma.org> 5 July 2001.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 1311 Mamaroneck Ave. White Plains, N.Y., 10605. (914) 949-5213. <http://l3.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls> 5 July 2001.

OTHER

Lymphoma Information Network Website. 7 June 2001. 5 July 2001 <http://www.lymphomainfo.net/nhl/types/mantle.html>.

Oregon Health and Science University, Cliniweb International Page on B-cell Lymphomas. 5 July 2001 <http://www.ohsu.edu/cliniweb/C15/C15.604.515.569.480.150.html>.

National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials 5 July 2001 <http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/>

Monique Laberge, Ph.D.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

• How advanced is my lymphoma?
• Do you know of any clinical trials in which I may participate?
• Has this center had much experience with MCL cases?
• What are the choices for treatment and what do you recommend?
• Should I obtain a second opinion?
• What are the possible short-term and long-term side effects of the treatment and what can be done about them?
• Are there other risks from the treatment?
• What are the chances of success?
• Are there complementary or alternative therapies that may be helpful?
• Are there support groups in the area that can help me cope with this disease?

Anemia

—A condition caused by a reduction in the amount of red blood cells produced by the bone marrow. Its symptoms are general weakness and lack of energy, dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, and irritability.

Antibody

—A protein (immunoglobulin) produced by plasma cells (mature B cells) to fight infections in the body. They are released into the circulatory system in response to specific antigens and thus target those antigens that induced their production.

Antigen

—An antigen is any substance which elicits an antibody response. As such, they are substances that stimulate a specific immune response of the body and are capable of reacting with the products of that response. Antigens may be foreign chemical substances or proteins located on the surface of viruses, bacteria, toxins, tumors and other infectious agents.

B-Cell lymphocyte

—A type of lymphocyte (white blood cell). B cells react to the presence of antigens by dividing and maturing into plasma cells.

B-cell lymphomas

—Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas that arise from B cells.

Blood cell

—Cellular component of blood. There are three general types: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, all which are produced in the bone marrow.

Cytoplasm

—The organized complex of organic and inorganic substances external to the nuclear membrane of a cell.

DNA

—Deoxyribonucleic acid are nucleic acids that are the part of the cell nucleus that contains and controls all genetic information.

Edema

—Swelling of a body part caused by an abnormal buildup of fluids.

Gene

—The specific site on a chromosome, consisting of protein and DNA responsible for the transmittal and determination of hereditary characteristics.

Gene therapy

—The use of genes to treat cancer and other diseases.

Immune system

—The system within the body, consisting of many organs and cells, that recognizes and fights foreign cells and disease.

Lymph

—A milky white liquid responsible for carrying the lymphocytes in the lymphatic vessels.

Lymphatic system

—Tissues and organs such as the bone marrow, spleen, thymus and lymph nodes that produce and store cells to fight infection and disease. Also includes the lymphatic vessels that carry lymph.

Lymphoma

—Cancers that starts in the lymphatic system. Lymphomas are classified into two categories—Hodgkin's Disease and the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.