Major Types Of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma And Their Signs

MALT Lymphoma

MALT lymphoma is an indolent or slowing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT) of the lymphatic system. The tissues are located in mucosal sites in the body such as gastrointestinal tract, thyroid glands, and salivary glands. It is the third most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma and accounts for eight percent of diagnosed cases. It can occur at any age but is mostly in individuals over sixty.

The exact cause is not fully established, but the Helicobacter pylori (H. pyroli) infection is a risk factor. The most common MALT Lymphoma occurs in the stomach and accounts for over seventy percent of cases. Individuals who develop the disease in other parts of the body typically have a history of various autoimmune disorders.

Treatment depends on the stage of development and the location. Initial stages of MALT lymphoma that occur in other areas rather than the stomach can be treated using radiation therapy or surgery. However, chemotherapy is used in advanced stages, and antibiotics are used to treat MALT lymphoma in the stomach.

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Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that comprises approximately fifteen thousand patients in the United States. It emerges at the outer mantle of the lymph node follicle due to the abnormal transformation of B-cells. The cells can enter the lymphatic or blood systems and spread to other parts of the body. It occurs mostly to individuals over sixty and is more predominant in men than women.

The signs and symptoms of MCL include fever, fatigue, enlargement of the liver, and weight loss. The cause of mantle cell lymphoma has not been established, but most cases have been related to a genetic abnormality known as translocation.

Due to the painless symptoms, most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages. The diagnosis is made by the examination of needle aspiration of the lymph nodes or biopsies of the bone marrow. There is no cure for MCL, but treatment options include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.

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