Splenic marginal lymphoma: what it is, what the symptoms are and how to treat it

Marginal splenic lymphoma is a malignant tumor that affects the immune system. Let's find out more.

When we talk about marginal splenic lymphoma , we mean a rare form of lymphoma, different from B-cell Hodgkin's lymphoma , which affects various organs of the lymphatic system and, in particular, the spleen. Its evolution is rather slow and is often silent. It is characterized by the clonal and abnormal proliferation of B lymphocytes affecting the bone marrow, the blood and, as already mentioned, more often, the spleen.

What are the symptoms of marginal splenic lymphoma

In the presence of this type of tumor, diseased lymphocytes continue to proliferate, taking away space for healthy immune cells. These are present above all in the spleen where a slowly but progressively growing tumor mass can often form. When this happens, it is called splenomegaly.

Going to the symptoms these are often very mild, especially in the beginning.
The most common are a sense of discomfort or pain in the spleen, its enlargement, anemia, increased lymphocytes, fever, weight loss and sweating.

In most cases, however, these are symptoms that tend to appear when the disease is already in an advanced state and this can make it difficult to recognize in time.
Its onset is known mostly between the ages of 50 and 60. As for the prognosis of marginal splenic lymphoma, this is usually greater than 10 years after diagnosis.

Why does this tumor occur and how to treat it

Doctors still don't know why this form of cancer develops. It is thought that this may be linked to autoimmune diseases or particular infections. No genetic or hereditary factors have been identified so far. However, studies are still ongoing, above all because it is still a rare tumor and represents 1% of all lymphomas.

With regard to treatments, however, these are different and change according to the situation.
Sometimes doctors choose not to intervene and just watch how the disease progresses. In the case of severe symptoms or advanced lymphoma, however, the spleen removal or treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy can be switched.

Even the use of monoclonal antibodies can do a lot and this gives a certain hope for increasingly rapid and decisive treatments. Regardless of the treatment chosen together with the doctor for marginal splenic lymphoma, it is therefore clear that the careful observation of the same is able to make a difference.