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What Is Stage IV Mantle Cell Lymphoma?

Stage IV mantle cell lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a form of cancer that starts in the lymphocyte cells of a patient’s lymph system. The lymph system is an important part of the immune system.

  1. Lymph System Effect

    • According to the American Cancer Society, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma affects lymphocyte cells in several areas of the lymph system including the lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow. A patient may notice enlarged lymph nodes with this condition.

    Mantle Cell

    • Mantle cell lymphomas are medium sized or small lymphoma cells and are usually widespread in a patient’s lymph system when the disease is diagnosed. This type of lymphoma does not spread quickly and only make up about 5 percent of all lymphomas, as reported by the American Cancer Society.

    Stage IV

    • The stage of a lymphoma is the extent to which it has spread in a patient’s body. A stage IV mantle cell lymphoma is an advanced form of cancer that has spread to an organ that is not near an affected lymph node or has spread to organs such as the brain, liver or spinal cord.

    Risk Factors

    • Men are more likely than women to develop mantle cell lymphoma and the risk of this form of cancer increases with age.

    Treatment

    • Doctors often treat mantle cell lymphomas with chemotherapy and a drug called rituximab. Mantle cell lymphoma treatment does not usually cure the disease but may slow its advance.

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