Step 4 of 4
Newly Diagnosed
Learn the language of MCL
Terms every newly diagnosed patient will encounter — in plain language.
This glossary explains the medical terms, test names, and treatment types you are most likely to encounter as an MCL patient or caregiver. Definitions are written for a general audience — your care team can provide more detail about your specific situation.
A
- Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant (Allo)
- A procedure in which a patient receives healthy blood-forming stem cells from a donor. In MCL, an allo transplant may be considered for some patients because the donor's immune system can also help fight remaining lymphoma cells.
- Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (Auto)
- A procedure in which a patient's own stem cells are collected, stored, and returned to the body after high-dose chemotherapy. In MCL, an auto transplant is sometimes used as part of initial treatment in younger, fit patients to help maintain remission.
B
- B Symptoms
- Symptoms sometimes caused by lymphoma, including unexplained fever, drenching night sweats, and unintentional weight loss.
- BTK Inhibitor
- A type of targeted therapy commonly used to treat mantle cell lymphoma. Examples include Brukinsa (zanubrutinib), Calquence (acalabrutinib), and Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib).
C
- CAR-T Therapy
- A treatment that uses a patient's own immune cells (T-cells), which are modified in a laboratory and then returned to the body to help fight lymphoma.
- Clinical Trial
- A research study that tests new treatments or new ways of using existing treatments. Clinical trials are often an important option for MCL patients.
- Complete Remission (CR)
- When tests show no evidence of active lymphoma after treatment.
- CRS (Cytokine Release Syndrome)
- A side effect that can occur after CAR-T therapy, in which the immune system releases a large number of proteins called cytokines. Symptoms can range from mild (fever, fatigue) to severe (low blood pressure, difficulty breathing). Medical teams monitor closely for CRS after CAR-T treatment.
- CT Scan (Computed Tomography)
- An imaging test that uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional pictures of the body. CT scans are commonly used in MCL to detect lymphoma, assess the extent of disease, and monitor how well treatment is working.
I
- ICANS
- Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome. A potential side effect of CAR-T therapy that can affect thinking, speech, memory, or neurological function.
- Indolent MCL
- A slower-growing form of mantle cell lymphoma that may not require immediate treatment.
K
- Ki-67
- A marker that helps estimate how quickly lymphoma cells are growing. A higher Ki-67 percentage generally indicates faster-growing disease.
M
- Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)
- A rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops from B lymphocytes (B cells), a type of white blood cell.
- Minimal Residual Disease (MRD)
- A very small amount of lymphoma that may remain after treatment and can only be detected using highly sensitive tests.
- MIPI Score
- Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index. A tool doctors sometimes use to estimate risk based on factors such as age, blood counts, and overall health.
N
- NED (No Evidence of Disease)
- A term used when tests show no signs of active lymphoma. NED does not necessarily mean the disease is cured, but it indicates that lymphoma is not detectable at that time.
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)
- A group of blood cancers that includes mantle cell lymphoma.
P
- Pathology Report
- A laboratory report describing the characteristics of lymphoma cells. This report often contains important information such as Ki-67, TP53 status, and subtype.
- PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)
- An imaging test commonly used to detect lymphoma activity throughout the body.
- Pleomorphic MCL
- A more aggressive subtype of mantle cell lymphoma characterized by lymphoma cells that vary in size and appearance.
- Progression-Free Survival (PFS)
- The length of time a patient remains alive without the lymphoma growing or returning.
R
- Relapse
- When lymphoma returns after a period of remission.
- Remission
- A decrease or disappearance of signs of lymphoma. Remission may be partial or complete.
S
- Second Opinion
- A consultation with another lymphoma specialist to review diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Many MCL experts encourage patients to obtain a second opinion.
T
- TP53 Mutation
- A change in the TP53 gene. In MCL, TP53 mutations are considered a high-risk feature and may influence treatment decisions.
W
- Watch and Wait
- A strategy used in some patients with slower-growing MCL where treatment is delayed while the disease is carefully monitored.
This glossary is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your care team with questions about your diagnosis or treatment.
✓
You've completed the Newly Diagnosed Roadmap
These four steps are a starting point — not the whole picture. MCL is different for everyone. Your care team, your community, and your own instincts will guide you forward.