Cancer Lymphoma Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Nodal Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma Overview By Indranil Mallick, MD Indranil Mallick, MD LinkedIn Twitter Indranil Mallick, MD, DNB, is a radiation oncologist with a special interest in lymphoma. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 18, 2021 Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD on November 23, 2020 LinkedIn Douglas A. Nelson, MD, is a board-certified oncologist and hematologist who previously served for 13 years as a physician in the US Air Force. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It has also been called monocytoid B cell lymphoma or MZL. Lymphomas are cancers of lymph cells, a type of blood cell. There are two main categories—Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma is one of the uncommon types of NHL. It is a type of low-grade (or slow-growing) lymphoma that arises from B-cells and mainly affects lymph nodes. In addition, nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma mainly affects older individuals. There are no known direct risk factors for this lymphoma but a few risk factors associated with lymphomas in general. STEVE GSCHMEISSNER / Getty Images Symptoms The most common symptom of this lymphoma is the enlargement of lymph nodes. Enlarged nodes become apparent as swellings in the neck, armpits or groin. This may be the only symptom, or there may be other associated symptoms and signs like fever and weight loss. Diagnosis All lymphomas are diagnosed with a biopsy. A lymph node biopsy is done by excising an entire lymph node, which is then examined under the microscope. The pattern of cells seen under the microscope and tests for specific lymphoma markers will diagnose it as this particular type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After a lymph node biopsy diagnoses this lymphoma, several tests are performed to find out how much this lymphoma has spread in the body. Tests may include CT scans, PET scans, blood tests, and a bone marrow test. These tests are useful in determining the staging and prognosis of the lymphoma. Staging and Prognosis Depending on the extent of lymphoma at diagnosis, the disease is grouped into one of four stages. Most individuals with nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma are diagnosed at an early stage (when the lymphoma is restricted to one or a few lymph node areas). The stage and other factors like age, fitness, and blood test results determine the disease outlook or prognosis. Unless the disease has spread extensively, this lymphoma has a good prognosis with a favorable outcome after treatment. Treatment Nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma is a slow-growing lymphoma. The treatment of this lymphoma is along the same lines as that of follicular lymphoma, the most common type of low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). If there are no symptoms, watching and waiting may be the approach used, with regular monitoring. A common treatment for this lymphoma is Ritxumab, a monoclonal antibody. While Rituximab can be given together with chemotherapy, it is also frequently given by itself for this type of lymphoma. The majority of individuals with this lymphoma have a good response to treatment and a chance of long-term disease control. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. van den Brand M, van Krieken JH. Recognizing nodal marginal zone lymphoma: recent advances and pitfalls. A systematic review. Haematologica. 2013;98(7):1003–1013. doi:10.3324/haematol.2012.083386 Additional Reading American Cancer Society. Types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. National Cancer Institute. Adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment–for health professionals (PDQ®).