What is primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma?
Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops from B cells, which are immune system cells that help fight infections. It's relatively rare, making up only 2 to 4 percent of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
PMBCL causes a tumor Show Full Answer
What is primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma?
Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops from B cells, which are immune system cells that help fight infections. It's relatively rare, making up only 2 to 4 percent of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
PMBCL causes a tumor to form in the mediastinum, the space between your lungs behind your breastbone. Most people with PMBCL have what's called "bulky disease," meaning the tumor is larger than 10 centimeters in diameter.
This type of lymphoma primarily affects young adults, especially women, though it can also occur in children. It's considered a subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and shares some features with classical Hodgkin lymphoma when examined under a microscope.
Most people are diagnosed in the early stages when the cancer is still localized to the chest area. The good news is that PMBCL generally has a favorable outlook, with five-year survival rates between 80 to 90 percent, and many people respond well to treatment.
February 26
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