Magda Szubanski has a rare stage four blood cancer. What is mantle cell lymphoma?

Australia Broadcast Center

29-05-2025

Australian actor Magda Szubanski, best-known for her iconic role as Sharon in Kath and Kim, has been diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer.
The 64-year-old announced her diagnosis of stage four mantle cell lymphoma on social media on Thursday afternoon.
Here's what we know about the disease and how it's treated.
Mantle cell lymphoma is a type of blood cancer.
It begins in the lymphatic system, which helps to fight disease and infection via a network of lots of tiny tubes throughout the body.
It affects the outer edge — also known as the mantle zone — of a type of white blood cell called B-cells or B lymphocytes, the Leukaemia Foundation says.
What this means is that the body is making abnormal B-cells, British charity Cancer Research UK's website says.
When someone has mantle cell lymphoma, these B-cells don't work properly, so they can't fight infection like they normally would.
And these abnormal cells build up in the lymph nodes or in other body parts.
"They form tumours and begin to cause problems within the lymphatic system or the organ where they are growing," Cancer Research UK says.
Mantle cell lymphoma is one of about 60 sub-types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the Cancer Council's website says.
Szubanski said her cancer was discovered incidentally via a breast screen, which she'd had after "feeling pretty ratshit for ages".
The first sign of this type of cancer is generally painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin.
"Multiple lymph nodes may be affected as well as other sites of the body including the spleen, bone marrow, blood, tonsils and adenoids, liver, brain, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract," the Leukaemia Foundation says.
"Mantle cell lymphoma commonly affects the bowel, with worsening diarrhoea often a sign of this."
Here are some of the other symptoms the foundation lists:
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and stem cell transplants are among the treatments listed by the Leukaemia Foundation.
"Treatment is often successful initially, however relapses are common," the foundation says.
"New treatments for mantle cell lymphoma are being researched all the time in clinical trials in some Australian hospitals."
Szubanski echoed this in her post to fans.
"I've started one of the best treatments available (the Nordic protocol)," she said.
"I'm lucky to be getting absolutely world-class care here in Melbourne."
She said the treatment would give her immune system "a hammering" and leave her immunocompromised.
Stage 4 cancer means the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, the Cancer Insititue NSW website says.
It's the highest stage on the scale, which ranges from stage 0 to stage 4.
Stage 4 cancer is also called metastatic or advanced cancer.
Szubanski's announcement was met with an immediate outpouring of support from her entertainment colleagues and fans.
It prompted others to share their experience with the disease in the comments section of her Instagram post.
Here are a few of the comments offering insight into mantle cell lymphoma treatment:
"I was diagnosed with Mantle cell lymphoma ten years ago! I was 57 at the time, I had 7 strong chemos over 7 months & a stem cell transplant!! I'm still here!! It's a lot & Mantle cell is an unusual one but medicine today is amazing! I'm fighting fit & I believe in my glass being half full!! I'm sending so much love to you & you will get through it!! I ended up with curly hair!!!! Xoxo"
"My dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma in 2021. He went through chemo, and had been in remission for three years when we found out this last Christmas it was back, but not as aggressively. He started chemo again and will finish this week! He's doing amazingly, and I know you will too!"
"My brother was diagnosed with the same 15 years ago. Back then Google said it had a 4 % survival rate. His treatment started with his stem cell then the Nordic Protocol and finally stem cell from your brother. We just celebrated his 70th last year in Langkawi Malaysia and he is fighting fit. Off all meds. Married 4 years ago. Loving life 💕👍🏻 Trust the process 💕"