What to Do if Mantle Cell Lymphoma Comes Back

If mantle cell lymphoma comes back after treatment, the next steps depend on several factors, including:

- The type of treatment you received

- Your overall health

- The location and extent of the relapsed lymphoma

Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

- Chemotherapy: This is the most common treatment for relapsed mantle cell lymphoma. It involves using drugs to kill cancer cells.

- Targeted therapy: These drugs target specific proteins that are involved in the growth and survival of mantle cell lymphoma cells.

- Immunotherapy: This treatment helps the body's immune system to fight cancer cells.

- Radiation therapy: This therapy uses high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells.

- Stem cell transplant: This procedure involves infusing healthy stem cells into the body to help the bone marrow produce new, healthy blood cells.

- Clinical trials: These studies test new treatments for mantle cell lymphoma. They may be an option for people who have relapsed lymphoma that is not responding to other treatments.

The goal of treatment for relapsed mantle cell lymphoma is to control the disease and improve quality of life. In some cases, it is possible to achieve a complete remission, which means that all signs of the disease disappear. However, mantle cell lymphoma is often a chronic disease that can come back over time. Working with your doctor, you can develop a treatment plan that is right for you and that helps you manage your disease.