Mcl Concerns

My husband was diagnosed with MCL in January 2007, following a routine check-up, his Dr felt his spleen was enlarged, ordered blood work to determine the cause of the enlarged spleen, referred him to a hemotologist, and he then requested a bone marrow biopsy and Cat scan, both confirmed MCL. He has currently completed his 3rd of 6 CHOP+R treatments. There is so much info out there, and I am a little confused as to what the next step is going to be. I hear that most patients go into remission, but for only a short time, and that bone marrow transplant is the only hope for a cure. I would appreciate any info.

On 4/17/2007 Copatty wrote:

My husband was diagnosed with MCL in January 2007, following a routine check-up, his Dr felt his spleen was enlarged, ordered blood work to determine the cause of the enlarged spleen, referred him to a hemotologist, and he then requested a bone marrow biopsy and Cat scan, both confirmed MCL. He has currently completed his 3rd of 6 CHOP+R treatments. There is so much info out there, and I am a little confused as to what the next step is going to be. I hear that most patients go into remission, but for only a short time, and that bone marrow transplant is the only hope for a cure. I would appreciate any info.

MCL is a rare , agressive NHL which has been resistant to most treatments.  RCHOP is pretty standard, but recurrence is common.  I would look into clinical trials and if he is young enough and healthy enough, a BMT should be discussed with your onc.

On 4/17/2007 Copatty wrote:

My husband was diagnosed with MCL in January 2007, following a routine check-up, his Dr felt his spleen was enlarged, ordered blood work to determine the cause of the enlarged spleen, referred him to a hemotologist, and he then requested a bone marrow biopsy and Cat scan, both confirmed MCL. He has currently completed his 3rd of 6 CHOP+R treatments. There is so much info out there, and I am a little confused as to what the next step is going to be. I hear that most patients go into remission, but for only a short time, and that bone marrow transplant is the only hope for a cure. I would appreciate any info.

I have been diagnosed stage IV, diffused in Dec 2005. R + CHOP for 9 cycles. Achieved molecular remission. Started with 3 monthly interval R maintenance in Oct 2006. Done a sonar in April 2007, even fibrotic tumor tissues disappeared.

 Based regiment on German Low Grade Lymphoma study of Hiddeman.

Thanks for your response. Is BMT common? Is that his best chance for a cure? He is 49 years old and healthy otherwise. Currenty he has 2 treatments of the 6 left, did a PET Scan after the third, which showed no cancer. But from what I understand MCL usually does well with the 1st round of Chemo but often returns. I would appreciate any info you can give me.

On 5/18/2007 Copatty wrote:

Thanks for your response. Is BMT common? Is that his best chance for a cure? He is 49 years old and healthy otherwise. Currenty he has 2 treatments of the 6 left, did a PET Scan after the third, which showed no cancer. But from what I understand MCL usually does well with the 1st round of Chemo but often returns. I would appreciate any info you can give me.

I was diagnosed with MCL in 1/06 I was a 50 yr old female at the time. Iwent through the 6 rounds of R-CHOP, clear scans at 3rd and final treatment.Onc MCL Specialist suggests Stem Cell Transplant after First remission for best results. I also used my own cells. Came through with flying colors. Non-eventful transplant. Went through 3 days of twice a day full body iradiation, then two dys of intense chemo, one day rest then transplant day. I slept the whole day because of meds. Came out fine the next day. You usually spend 21 days in hospital. Transplant was done a year ago in October, now I just finished my 2nd Rituxan Maintence Treatment. (maintenence consist of 2 yrs, once every 6 months you go one day a week for 4 weeks). I will have scans in 3 or 6 months inbetween. I have not been sick or week during this time. And I am NOT on any Meds.

God Bless you all!

Kathy  :)