Follicular lymphoma: what is it?

Your body's natural defense against infection is impacted by this, which also has an impact on your immunological and lymphatic systems.

Unusual cells collect in organs or lymph nodes (glands) in follicular lymphoma, resulting in lumps or swellings. The size and location of the lumps and swellings in your body will determine the symptoms you experience.

The type of lymphoma you have will be investigated by medical professionals if they suspect you have it. If testing confirms that you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), the kind of NHL—which has distinct treatments—will be determined based on how quickly or slowly it grows.

Follicular lymphoma is a low-grade NHL, meaning it grows slowly.

Some patients with follicular lymphoma may not require therapy right away but will nonetheless benefit from routine check-ups due to the disease's gradual growth. Based on your symptoms and the location of the lymphoma in your body, your doctor will also classify the cancer. This is referred to as the lymphoma's "stage," and it aids in the treatment planning process for your medical team.

The reason for follicular lymphoma?

In the UK, approximately 14,000 people receive a diagnosis of NHL each year. Follicle cell lymphoma affects about 20% of individuals with NHL (two out of ten).


For the most part, the cause of follicular lymphoma remains unknown. However, the following variables may increase your risk of developing it: 

Age: Older adults are primarily affected with follicular lymphoma. It is exceedingly uncommon in children and highly uncommon in persons under 40.

Sex: Women are somewhat more likely than males to get follicular lymphoma. Other forms of low-grade NHL are somewhat more common in males than in women. We're not sure why.

Family history: Whether there is a clear correlation between family members and the risk of developing follicular lymphoma is not well understood. If you have a close family who has it, your risk may be slightly higher.

Infections: If you have had any viral infections, such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes glandular fever, the HIV virus, or the human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV-1), you may be at a higher risk of developing follicular lymphoma or another type of NHL. Despite being a widespread virus, very few individuals who have EBV go on to develop NHL.

It's critical to realize that follicular lymphoma cannot be contracted from another person.

Changes in follicular lymphoma

Some patients may develop follicular lymphoma into a high-grade NHL that is rapidly expanding. We refer to this as metamorphosis. Roughly 3% of follicular lymphoma instances (three out of every 100) may progress each year, usually developing into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, or DLBCL, a high-grade NHL.

Follicular lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), which is a cancer that originates in the lymphatic system. Specifically, follicular lymphoma arises from B-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and is characterized by the abnormal growth of these cells in lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues.

Here are key points about follicular lymphoma:

Follicular lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), which is a cancer that originates in the lymphatic system. Specifically, follicular lymphoma arises from B-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and is characterized by the abnormal growth of these cells in lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues.

Here are key points about follicular lymphoma:

1. Cell Origin:- Follicular lymphoma is derived from a specific subtype of B-cells known as centrocytes and centroblasts, which normally function to produce antibodies and fight infections.

2. Indolent Nature:- It is generally considered an indolent (slow-growing) lymphoma. Patients often have a relatively good prognosis, with a median survival of over 10 years. However, it is typically not curable with current treatments.

3. Lymph Node Involvement:- The hallmark of follicular lymphoma is the development of enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the neck, armpits, or groin. These nodes are usually painless.

4. Bone Marrow and Blood Involvement:- In advanced stages, the lymphoma cells can spread to bone marrow and occasionally to the bloodstream.

5. Grading:- Follicular lymphoma is graded based on how the cancer cells look under a microscope (grading). Grade 1 and Grade 2 follicular lymphomas have a more favorable prognosis compared to Grade 3, which is considered high-grade.

6. Symptoms:- Besides enlarged lymph nodes, patients might experience symptoms such as fatigue, night sweats, unintentional weight loss, and occasionally pain related to the affected lymph nodes.

7. Diagnosis:- Diagnosis is typically made by a lymph node biopsy, where a sample of the affected tissue is examined under a microscope. Imaging studies such as CT scans or PET scans are also used to determine the extent of the disease.

8. Treatment:- Treatment decisions depend on the stage and grade of the lymphoma. Common approaches include watchful waiting (for asymptomatic early-stage disease), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy (e.g., rituximab), and in some cases, stem cell transplantation.

9. Follow-Up:- Patients with follicular lymphoma require regular follow-up visits with their oncologist to monitor for disease progression or recurrence.

It's important for individuals diagnosed with follicular lymphoma to work closely with their healthcare team to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on their specific circumstances.