Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is a rare and aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This study explores the demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics of 746 MCL patients diagnosed in the United States between 2000 and 2015, focusing on the interaction between age and tumor stage. METHODS: Using SEER database data, this retrospective cohort study analyzes demographic and clinical variables like age, gender, stage, treatment, and marital status. Mortality risks were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression models to identify predictors of overall mortality (OM) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM), emphasizing age-tumor stage interactions. RESULTS: Multivariate Cox regression identified age and advanced Ann Arbor stage (II, III, and IV) as critical predictors of increased OM and MCL-specific mortality. Patients aged 80+ had the highest mortality risks (OM HR = 3.93, 95 % CI 1.33-11.64; CSM HR = 4.02, 95 % CI 1.36-11.88). Marital status was significant, with widowed individuals experiencing elevated mortality (OM HR = 1.85, 95 % CI 1.28-2.68; CSM HR = 1.81, 95 % CI 1.26-2.61). Advanced staging combined with older age showed significant risk interactions, except for Stage III, which lacked age-related significance. CONCLUSION: Age, tumor stage, and marital status strongly influence MCL outcomes, highlighting the need for personalized management strategies. Widowed status underscores the role of social support in survival. Tailored interventions, accounting for these factors, can improve patient outcomes. Further research is essential to clarify age-stage interactions and refine therapeutic approaches.