Related Subjects:
|Hodgkin Lymphoma
|Non Hodgkin Lymphoma
|Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
|Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma
|Mantle cell lymphoma
|Marginal Zone Lymphoma
|Gastric (MALT) Lymphoma
|Primary CNS Lymphoma (PCNSL)
|Burkitt's lymphoma
|Follicular Lymphoma
Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MZL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), originating from B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. MZL is characterized by its development in the "marginal zone," the area surrounding lymphoid tissues.
About
- Indolent type of B-cell lymphoma
- A form of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Aetiology
- Infections or antigen-driven lymphomas often play a role.
- Commonly associated infections:
- Helicobacter pylori
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Clinical Presentation
- Painless lymph node swelling, particularly in the nodal subtype.
- Systemic symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats
- Abdominal pain, particularly in splenic MZL due to an enlarged spleen
- Symptoms related to specific organs, such as stomach pain in gastric MALT lymphoma.
Types of MZL
- Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MALT Lymphoma): Commonly found in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), such as the stomach. Often linked to chronic infections or autoimmune diseases.
- Nodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma: Primarily affects the lymph nodes and is less common.
- Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma: Commonly associated with HCV and characterized by spleen involvement, accounting for about 10% of MZL cases.
Investigations
- Biopsy: Essential for diagnosis, typically involves lymph node or extranodal tissue biopsy.
- Imaging: CT, PET, or ultrasound scans to determine the extent of disease.
- Blood Tests: Evaluate blood counts and look for abnormalities, especially in splenic MZL.
- Bone Marrow Biopsy: Useful for assessing bone marrow involvement, particularly in splenic MZL.
Management
- Watchful Waiting: For asymptomatic or slow-progressing cases.
- Antibiotics: MALT lymphomas linked to infections (e.g., H. pylori) may respond to antibiotics.
- Radiation Therapy: Used for localized disease.
- Chemotherapy: Often combined with immunotherapy (e.g., Rituximab) for advanced disease.
- Immunotherapy: Monoclonal antibodies targeting B-cells.
- Surgery: Sometimes used for localized MALT lymphoma, particularly in cases resistant to other treatments.
- Splenectomy: Considered for cases of splenic MZL with significant splenomegaly or symptoms.
Prognosis
- Indolent Nature: MZL often progresses slowly, and patients can live for many years post-diagnosis.
- Subtype and Stage Dependent: Prognosis is generally favorable for extranodal MZL if detected early, while prognosis varies for other subtypes depending on disease stage and response to treatment.