What Is Follicular Lymphoma?
Follicular lymphoma is a cancerous condition of the lymph nodes. The cancer cells involve the white blood cells produced by these lymph nodes. Lymphomas are of two known varieties, Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Follicular lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It has most symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, such as swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, and chronic low-grade fever. In follicular lymphoma, the blood cells travel through the blood throughout the body and form tumors and cancerous growth.
These are slow growing and asymptomatic. Apart from the lymph nodes, this cancer can also affect the bone marrow tissue. This illness is chronic. It can go undetected for many years without much symptoms. Once cured, it may have very little chance of recurrence. The doctors generally wait and observe before starting the treatment. This condition affects three people out of a billion. Individuals over 65 years of age have a greater risk of developing this condition. This condition is more common in males than females.
What Causes Follicular Lymphoma?
The exact cause of follicular lymphoma is unknown. This type of cancer is not passed through the family as well. In some cases, certain infections or allergies can trigger the onset of this condition. Once triggered, the cells begin to multiply and grow abnormally. This condition occurs due to changes in the chromosomes.
What Are the Symptoms of Follicular Lymphoma?
The symptoms of follicular lymphoma include:
- Swelling: Follicular lymphoma is seen as swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpits, neck, and groin region. These swelling of the lymph nodes are generally painless.
- Fever: One of the most common symptoms of this condition is persistent low-grade fever. The fever may or may not be due to any other underlying condition.
- Fatigue: Chronic tiredness may be known as fatigue. Sometimes fatigue can be so hard that performing day-to-day activities becomes difficult.
- Sudden Weight Loss: Sudden weight loss can occur with follicular lymphoma. The weight loss can be sudden if the person loses 10 percent or more body weight in less than six months.
- Sweating and Chills: Drenching night sweats can be one of the most common symptoms of follicular lymphoma.
How Serious Is Follicular Lymphoma?
Follicular lymphoma is usually chronic and asymptomatic. But in some cases, this condition can become serious and challenging to cure. The following may be the reasons for that:
- Transformation: This condition will likely develop into a more serious condition, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This more aggressive type of cancer is very quick to spread. There is a three percent chance of follicular lymphoma developing into DLBCL.
- Relapse: Follicular lymphoma is one such condition that has a high relapse rate. This means the condition returns after some time, even after treatment. However, the reason for this is unknown.
How Is Follicular Lymphoma Diagnosed?
The following procedures help in diagnosing follicular lymphoma:
- Biopsy: Biopsy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a tissue sample to diagnose any underlying pathology. The tissue obtained is sent to a laboratory and studied under a microscope. This helps to look for any cell malformations.
- CT (Computed Tomography) Scan: CT scan is a non-invasive imaging procedure. This scan can be used to study tumors of the lymph node and its location and growth.
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scans: The PET scan is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure for studying cancer cells and tissues. The PET scan helps to assess the spread of the cancerous tissue.
What Are the Stages of Follicular Lymphoma?
The staging of follicular lymphoma or any such cancerous tissue is done to achieve a proper diagnosis. Staging the condition helps establish a better treatment plan. The follicular lymphoma stage ranges from stages I to IV:
- Stage I: In stage I of the follicular lymphoma, the cancerous growth is found in one or more lymph nodes. About 25 % of lymphomas are diagnosed in stage I of the disease.
- Stage II: In stage II of follicular lymphoma, the cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes above and below the diaphragm (only one side). About 15 % of lymphomas are diagnosed in stage I.
- Stage III: In stage III of follicular lymphoma, the cancer cells are found on both sides of the diaphragm. About 26 % of lymphomas are diagnosed in stage I of the disease.
- Stage IV: In stage IV of follicular lymphoma, the cancer cells spread to other parts other than the lymph nodes and bone marrow. It begins to affect other organs. About 27 % of lymphomas are diagnosed at this stage.
How Is Follicular Lymphoma Treated?
Follicular lymphoma is treated by either a single method or a combination of a few treatment modalities. The various treatment options for follicular lymphoma include
- Wait and Watch: The doctor may opt to wait and watch and start treatment immediately. During this period, various tests are also taken to study the progression of the disease, and the treatment is given accordingly.
- Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy is a type of treatment that is done to eradicate cancer cells. This treatment is useful in the early stages of this disease.
- Monoclonal Antibody Therapy: Monoclonal antibody therapy is a treatment procedure in which antibodies are artificially created that target cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is one of the standard treatments for eliminating cancer cells. This treatment can be given alone or combined with other treatments.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the body’s immunity to fight against cancer cells. The body is made to produce cancer-fighting cells with the help of other drugs.
- Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy is a treatment plan that uses certain drugs to eliminate cancer cells without causing any harm to normal cells.
- Bone Marrow Transplant: The doctor may suggest a bone marrow transplant if the follicular lymphoma is recurrent. This procedure involves the transplantation of bone marrow with new donor tissue.
Conclusion:
Follicular lymphoma is a condition that affects the lymphatic system. The cells of the lymph nodes become malignant and spread throughout the body. This condition is very slow progressing and chronic. Most cases of follicular lymphoma can be diagnosed early into the disease. However, when diagnosed early, there are high chances of this condition being treated better. It is always advisable to consult a doctor when any of the symptoms is felt.
