mantle cell lymphoma
Meaning of mantle cell lymphoma: Mantle cell lymphoma is a B-cell lymphoma named for the lymph node zone it arises from, generally considered an aggressive subtype.
Definition of mantle cell lymphoma
Mantle cell lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops from B lymphocytes located in the mantle zone, a ring of small lymphocytes surrounding the germinal center of a lymph node follicle. It most often affects middle-aged or older adults and occurs somewhat more often in men.
The condition typically results from a chromosomal change that causes affected cells to overproduce a protein called cyclin D1, which normally helps regulate when a cell divides, contributing to the uncontrolled growth of these lymphoma cells. At diagnosis, mantle cell lymphoma has often already spread beyond the lymph nodes to involve the bone marrow, spleen, blood, or digestive tract.
Mantle cell lymphoma is generally classified as an aggressive lymphoma because it tends to grow and spread relatively quickly, though its clinical course can vary, and some cases behave in a more slow growing manner than others.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
A lymph node biopsy confirmed mantle cell lymphoma after the patient presented with widespread lymphadenopathy.
Good to know
Mantle cell lymphoma has frequently already spread beyond the lymph nodes by the time it is diagnosed, which distinguishes its typical presentation from lymphomas that are more often found while still confined to a single nodal area.
Word origin
Where “mantle cell lymphoma” comes from
Formed from Latin mantellum, meaning cloak, describing the mantle zone's cloak-like layer of lymphocytes, combined with lymphoma, from Latin lympha, meaning clear water, and the Greek suffix -oma, meaning tumor or swelling.