Disease state resources
Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) fact sheet
December 11, 2025
Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is a slow-growing form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that develops when white blood cells cluster together to form lumps in the lymphoid tissue.
MZL occurs when B cells in the marginal zone mutate and become abnormal cells that multiply excessively.
These abnormal cells continue to grow in a slow and uncontrolled manner and crowd in lymphoid tissue in the skin, lymph nodes and spleen.
Incidence
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MZL is the third most common form of NHL, accounting for about 7% of all NHL cases. |
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Most patients with MZL are diagnosed at a median age of 67. |
Symptoms
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Weight loss |
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Fever |
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Night sweats |
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Fatigue |
Diagnosis
Blood tests are needed to receive accurate diagnosis and additional tests may include:
Bone marrow
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Lymph node biopsy
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Imaging test such as a CT scan
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Initial treatment options
For patients living with MZL, treatment is evaluated by your healthcare practitioner to extend remission and survival. There are several options and combinations available including:
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
Targeted therapies
If your disease progresses, it may transform into a more aggressive lymphoma.
Treating Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) MZL
Despite recent advances, those living with MZL can relapse or become refractory (R/R) to initial therapies. Several new treatment options including personalized therapies have shown promise in the treatment of certain types of blood cancer.
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It is important for people with MZL to understand their disease, recognize signs and symptoms and talk to a healthcare professional as soon as they are in need of a treatment option.
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