Key takeaways
• People with mantle cell lymphoma typically experience alternating periods where cancer symptoms lessen or disappear followed by times when the disease returns, with the average symptom-free interval lasting around 20 months.
• During symptom-free periods, treatment focuses on extending this phase as long as possible through maintenance therapy, which often includes rituximab injections administered every two months for up to three years.
• Doctors monitor patients during remission through regular follow-up appointments that include blood work and imaging scans to detect early signs of disease recurrence and manage any treatment-related complications.
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps to protect the body from infection.
There are two types of lymphocytes, or white blood cells: B cells and T cells. MCL affects the B cells. It causes abnormal B lymphocytes to collect in the lymph nodes or organs. This can then lead to tumors and cause issues with the lymphatic system or the affected organ.
In the United States, MCL accounts for about 6% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases and affects roughly 1 in every 200,000 people each year.
This article explains what remission means for people with MCL, how it typically presents, what to expect during remission, and the overall outlook.
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This can happen even though there are still cancer cells in a person’s body. Remission can sometimes signify that a person’s cancer has completely gone.
Learn more about what it means to be in remission from cancer.
Unlike some other cancers that may be cured with initial treatment, mantle cell lymphoma often follows a pattern of remission and relapse.
Remission occurs when treatment reduces the signs and symptoms of cancer. However, MCL is generally considered a chronic condition, meaning that the disease may return after a period of remission.
How long remission lasts varies widely. Some people experience shorter remissions, while others may remain in remission for several years. Although median progression-free survival (PFS) varies widely by age and treatment, the median survival for newer treatments is around
Can mantle cell lymphoma be cured?
MCL is not usually considered curable, but research is ongoing and clinical trials are available at many cancer centers.
However, for a small subset of people with early-stage (localized) MCL, radiation therapy may lead to long-lasting remissions.
More recent research suggests that risk-adapted (personalized) treatment — which may include chemoimmunotherapy, stem cell transplant for some people, and newer targeted therapies — can improve long-term outcomes and deepen remissions
Remission care can vary from person to person. However, generally, people can expect the following:
Maintenance therapy
Maintenance therapy aims to prolong a person’s remission for as long as possible.
After being diagnosed, some people receive more intensive chemotherapy regimens that include cytarabine.
If the disease responds well, doctors may recommend an autologous stem cell transplant. Following these treatments, people may receive an injection of the targeted therapy rituximab every 2 months for up to 3 years.
Other people may receive less intensive treatment, such as rituximab plus CHOP (R-CHOP) or rituximab combined with CHOP (R-CHOP) or rituximab plus bendamustine. They may also receive maintenance rituximab after these treatments.
Follow-up care
People with MCL will also receive follow-up care while they are in remission to:
- ensure they are recovering well from treatment
- check for signs of MCL relapse
- check for symptoms of MCL that develop months or years after treatment
Tests and scans
During the follow-up care period, doctors may recommend tests and scans to determine whether someone’s MCL is relapsing.
Follow-up testing might involve blood tests,
Follow-up testing may include blood tests and imaging such as computed tomography (CT) scans. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans. PET scans may be used in certain situations.
MCL is a serious and potentially life threatening condition.
MCL and MCL treatment
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- hair loss
- increased risk of infection
- bleeding or bruising
- genetics
In some cases, more serious complications, such as severe infections or organ-related complications, may occur.
Survival rates for MCL have improved over the past decade due to advances in treatment. According to the National Cancer Institute, outcomes vary depending on factors such as age, overall health, stage at diagnosis, and response to treatment.
While MCL is often not considered curable, many people now live for several years after diagnosis, and some experience long periods of remission.
Learn more about the survival rates for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
MCL is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the lymphatic system. Many people experience periods of remission followed by relapse. Although MCL is not usually considered curable, advances in treatment continue to improve long-term outcomes. During remission, the goal of care is to maintain disease control for as long as possible and monitor for signs of relapse.
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