What is follicular lymphoma?
Follicular lymphoma is a form of cancer. It is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), which is a group of related cancers that affect the lymphatic system (lymphomas). The lymphatic system functions as part of the immune system and helps to protect the body against infection and disease.
Is follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma curable?
Follicular lymphoma is usually not considered to be curable, but more of a chronic disease. Patients can live for many years with this form of lymphoma.
How do you know if you have follicular lymphoma?
If your doctor notices that you have enlarged lymph nodes, it doesn’t mean you have cancer. They’re most often caused by infections or other problems. If you do have one, your doctor may give you an antibiotic to see if it shrinks in a few weeks.
Is follicular lymphoma cancer of the blood?
Follicular lymphoma is a type of slow-growing blood cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It affects white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Is follicular lymphoma bad?
Most cases of follicular lymphoma are incurable, but the average survival in advanced stages of follicular lymphoma is about 20 years.
Can follicular lymphoma turn into leukemia?
Follicular lymphoma transforming into acute lymphoblastic leukemia has been documented in a limited number of cases [2,3,11,12].
Does follicular lymphoma spread?
Follicular lymphoma spreads through a person’s lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system.
Where does the term follicular lymphoma come from?
The term follicular lymphoma comes from the observation that the cancer cells are group in clusters (or follicles) within the lymph nodes.
What’s the difference between low grade and high grade follicular lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma including follicular lymphoma can be characterized as “low-grade” (or indolent), meaning the cancer tends to grow slowly and results in few associated symptoms or “high-grade” (aggressive), meaning the cancer typically grows rapidly.
How does follicular lymphoma affect the bone marrow?
Follicular lymphoma can affect the bone marrow and the spleen, causing abnormal enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly). When follicular lymphoma affects the bone marrow or the spleen, it can lead to low levels of the three main blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This is called cytopenia.
What are the symptoms of follicular lymphoma in the abdomen?
These symptoms can include a persistent, chronic fever; unintended weight loss, and excessive sweating, especially at night (night sweats). Follicular lymphoma affecting organs other than those in the lymphatic system or the bone morrow is rare. Sometimes, large tumors may form in the abdomen.