These encouraging words are from The Voice: A Christian cancer blog. From our experience, I agree with everything stated by the blogger, especially this statement "My personal opinion is mantle cell needs a specialist’s diagnose and treatment. They are up to date with the ongoing MCL research and generally will prescribe a protocol modeled after one of the top research hospitals." Things are happening quickly in MCL research, and it will definitely be to your disadvantage if your oncologist has not seen a patient with MCL for awhile, and/or they haven't been keeping up with what's going on with MCL research at the top research hospitals, such as, Vanderbilt and MD Anderson. Do as much research as you can, and don't be afraid to question your oncologist. Your life could depend on it. Gerry
If you searched on Google for information regarding cancer, specifically mantle cell lymphoma, please read this article.
In April 2008, I was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma. This was a complete surprise as I was a conscientious woman concerning my health and I exercised regularly. I never thought I would be a candidate for cancer! (read my complete story – here)
I went to the internet to learn more about this cancer but what I read concerning mantle cell lymphoma was bleak. The reports were dismal as far as the odds of beating this disease. I want you to know that if you went to the internet to learn more about MCL, don’t be discouraged or frightened, the news is actually more hopeful than those articles.
I started chemotherapy May 5, 2008. I felt like I was on the fast track and all I could say to my oncologist was “Yes” to anything and everything she suggested. What did I know about this cancer called lymphoma? So my chemotherapy journey began in May and ended in September. After a six week “rest” of numerous appointments and tests, in November I was admitted into the hospital for my autologous stem cell transplant. At my 100 day post transplant, February 2009, my bone marrow transplant doctor told me the good news that I was cancer free. And he felt confident enough to say “forever.”
I chose to go to a research hospital for my treatment. I went to Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. My oncologist, Dr. Martha Glenn, was a specialist in blood cancers, hematology. My personal opinion is mantle cell needs a specialist’s diagnose and treatment. They are up to date with the ongoing MCL research and generally will prescribe a protocol modeled after one of the top research hospitals.
My treatment was researched and developed by MD Anderson, Texas. I had six cycles of AB rituximab hyper-CVAD, a very aggressive chemotherapy regime. I did well, as expected. I don’t know if any chemotherapy goes as planned, I think most every patient has glitches along the way, some minor and some not so minor. As each cycle went by, I felt weaker and weaker. I actually got a little frustrated with my lack of energy and ability to accomplish anything.
In preparation for my transplant, a PET/CT scan revealed I was not 100% responsive to my chemotherapy. After a board of oncologists discussed my case, it was decided that BEXXAR, a radioimmunotherapy, would be prescribed followed by 17 rounds of radiation once I was released to go home after my transplant.
This month, March 2013, I had my nearly five year since diagnose appointment with my oncologist. At this point, my only test is a full blood panel. Dr. Glenn said as each year goes by post treatment, the less chance I have of my cancer returning. As a matter of fact, during my first year appointments she would tell me in her five years of using my type of treatment protocol, it has not failed but for one patient. As time has passed, she told me again at this appointment, now in ten years of prescribing R hyper-CVAD her record stands, only one patient relapsed.
Dr. Glenn was so pleased with me and my test results that she believes I am cured. That word “cured” is not used very often in the MCL world and is debated among the oncologists but with Dr. Glenn’s optimism, I will believe I am cured.
Mantle cell lymphoma is not a cancer to fool around with. In my years as a survivor I have kept up to date with the research and data surrounding MCL. We have some highly intelligent MCL doctors that are unrelenting in their research looking for the cure to our cancer. In the five years since my diagnose, research has discovered new drugs that are less toxic and easier on the body. Many of these drugs are in clinical trial. The doctors seem to think in the near future years MCL can be cured. In my reading, MCL is a maintainable disease and some oncologists have even called it a chronic disease.
In being cautious, all of us will not have my type of treatment. The oncologist must consider age and health factor at diagnose. With this in consideration, they will prescribe the chemotherapy treatment most effective and least life threatening to the patient. I met a man who was about my age diagnosed with MCL. He was a smoker and his tests revealed he couldn’t handle my specific treatment, it had to be modified for his situation.
Also in my reading, not all doctors prescribe the same treatment regime; there are chemotherapy options available and one doctor may favor one over another. To me this is very interesting.
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So for your research in finding any positive information regarding mantle cell lymphoma I hope this article has helped you in some way.
Again, we may be prescribed different treatment regimes and we may respond just as differently to our personalized chemotherapy but there is a point to be made – MCL is not a hopeless cancer. As my doctor said to me, “You had the kitchen sink thrown at you and because of that, you are cured.”
With a little research on the internet you can find the names of the nationally and world renowned doctors treating mantle cell lymphoma. Many of these doctors are associated with research hospitals and are working on finding the cure for our cancer.
Read the entire article here...
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