What Are Treatments for Marginal Zone Lymphoma?

Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects B cells, a type of white blood cell. It is a slow-growing, or indolent, lymphoma that can occur in various parts of the body, including the stomach, intestines, salivary glands, thyroid gland, eyes, and skin. The treatment for MZL depends on the stage of the disease, the patient's overall health, and the specific subtype of MZL. The main treatment options include watchful waiting, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplant.

1. Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is often recommended for patients with early-stage MZL who do not have any symptoms. This approach involves closely monitoring the patient's condition without providing any treatment until symptoms appear or change. The goal is to avoid unnecessary side effects from treatments that may not improve the patient's condition or life expectancy.

2. Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It is often used for early-stage MZL that is localized to one area of the body. The specific type of radiation therapy used for MZL is external beam radiation therapy, which delivers radiation from a machine outside the body.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It is often used for advanced-stage MZL or for patients who have symptoms. The specific drugs used for MZL chemotherapy include cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP), and bendamustine plus rituximab (BR).

4. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy uses drugs to stimulate the body's immune system to fight cancer. The specific drugs used for MZL immunotherapy include rituximab, obinutuzumab, and ibrutinib.

5. Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs that specifically target the cancer cells, causing less harm to normal cells. The specific drugs used for MZL targeted therapy include ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, and zanubrutinib.

6. Stem Cell Transplant

A stem cell transplant involves replacing the patient's diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. This treatment is usually reserved for patients with MZL that has relapsed or not responded to other treatments. The specific types of stem cell transplants used for MZL include autologous stem cell transplant (using the patient's own stem cells) and allogeneic stem cell transplant (using stem cells from a donor).

Want to Learn More About Marginal Zone Lymphoma?

Keep reading HealthTree for Marginal Zone Lymphoma's 101 pages!

• What Is Marginal Zone Lymphoma?
• How Is Marginal Zone Lymphoma Diagnosed?
• How Long Will I Live With Marginal Zone Lymphoma?
• What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Marginal Zone Lymphoma?
• How Is Marginal Zone Lymphoma Staged And Classified?