Received a call from the Dr.'s office at 11:00 AM asking if we wanted to meet today at 2:00 PM since the results of the PET Scan and bone marrow biopsy were in. Since this would shorten the worry period we took them up on the offer.
I have Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). It usually starts in the lymph nodes and then goes to the bone marrow. Mine is just the opposite. The PET Scan showed the lymph nodes to be clear. The spleen is slightly enlarged, but didn't show any cancer and the Dr. was not concerned. The lymphoma only shows in the bone marrow. It is also unusual in that one of the normal marker cells (CD-5) does not show positive for MCL. This also makes the type I have rare. Lucky me!
Based on these results the Dr.'s first choice is to try a mild chemotherapy for 6 cycles (1 cycle = 4 weeks) with 1 infusion per cycle. He said the side effects are significantly less than those normally encountered with chemo. At the third month he would do another bone marrow biopsy to see if it is working and, if so, go into a maintenance scenario. Another option is aggressive chemotherapy with regular (nearly daily) infusions for 8 cycles and with the normal chemo side effects. Another option is a bone marrow transplant which if successful can actually cure this cancer. Both chemo options do not totally rid the body of the lymphoma cells.
Right now the mild chemo looks like the best. We are having the reports sent to Seattle and will get second opinion. We should hear tomorrow the schedule for the Seattle appointment.
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Paula
I have Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). It usually starts in the lymph nodes and then goes to the bone marrow. Mine is just the opposite. The PET Scan showed the lymph nodes to be clear. The spleen is slightly enlarged, but didn't show any cancer and the Dr. was not concerned. The lymphoma only shows in the bone marrow. It is also unusual in that one of the normal marker cells (CD-5) does not show positive for MCL. This also makes the type I have rare. Lucky me!
Based on these results the Dr.'s first choice is to try a mild chemotherapy for 6 cycles (1 cycle = 4 weeks) with 1 infusion per cycle. He said the side effects are significantly less than those normally encountered with chemo. At the third month he would do another bone marrow biopsy to see if it is working and, if so, go into a maintenance scenario. Another option is aggressive chemotherapy with regular (nearly daily) infusions for 8 cycles and with the normal chemo side effects. Another option is a bone marrow transplant which if successful can actually cure this cancer. Both chemo options do not totally rid the body of the lymphoma cells.
Right now the mild chemo looks like the best. We are having the reports sent to Seattle and will get second opinion. We should hear tomorrow the schedule for the Seattle appointment.
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Paula
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