Guide To The Different Types Of Lymphoma

MALT Lymphoma

MALT lymphoma affects the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues in the lymphatic system. Like follicular lymphoma, it is a slow-growing type of lymphoma. It is the third most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and accounts for 8 percent of cases. It is most common in individuals over 60 years old, but can appear at any age. H. pylori infection is a serious risk factor for this type of lymphoma.

The tissues it affects are located in the salivary and thyroid glands, as well as the gastrointestinal tract. MALT lymphoma is most common in the stomach, with over 70 percent of its cases appearing here. Antibiotics are the most common treatment for MALT lymphoma that appears in the stomach. Chemotherapy is reserved for advanced stages of this lymphoma, and cases that occur in other body parts are typically treated with radiation or surgery.

Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rarer form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It begins at the outer mantle of the lymph node follicles. This is because of abnormal B-cell transformation. The affected cells enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system and spread to other areas of the body. Once again, this form of lymphoma is most common in those over 60 years old. Men are affected more often than women. The cause isn’t clear, but many cases are related to translocation, a genetic abnormality.

Symptoms of this form of lymphoma are unexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue, and an enlarged liver. Because the symptoms are painless, most cases of MCL are not diagnosed until the advanced stages. This does not bode well for patient prognosis. There is no cure, though treatments used include the standards: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.