Follicular Lymphoma Detailed Information
Follicular lymphoma is the most common of the indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a heterogeneous group of malignancies of lymphocyte origin that usually arise or are present in lymphoid tissues. It is a slow growing lymphoma that arises from B-cells, a type of white blood cell. It is also called an “indolent” or “low-grade” lymphoma for its slow nature, both in terms of its behavior and how it looks under the microscope. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the seventh most frequently diagnosed malignancy in the United States.
Follicular lymphoma is one of the commonest types of lymphoma in Western countries. Follicular lymphoma accounts for 20-30% of all lymphomas. The incidence of follicular lymphomas increases with age. Follicular lymphomas are extremely rare in children. The ratio of male to female affected is about 2:3. The primary sign of the condition is frequently a painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin, caused by enlarged lymph nodes. Sometimes more than one group of nodes is affected. The lymphoma may spread to involve various organs in the body, such as the bone marrow, liver, lungs or skin. Some people experience a loss of appetite and tiredness.
Other symptoms may include night sweats, unexplained high temperatures, and weight loss. These are known as B type symptoms. Follicular lymphoma can become more aggressive over many years, and the follicular pattern may change from a lower percentage of large cells to primarily large cells. Treatment of follicular lymphoma depends on the stage and grade of the disease. Follicular lymphoma responds well to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. It may be given if the lymphoma has spread to several groups of lymph nodes and/or other organs.
Follicular lymphoma is very sensitive to chemotherapy and often disappears with this treatment. Chemotherapy drugs may be taken by mouth or as injections. Monoclonal antibody therapy with Rituximab has also been approved for treatment of follicular lymphoma. Bone marrow/stem cell transplantation is used increasingly as therapy for follicular lymphomas, especially in young patients. Radiotherapy is the use of high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to the healthy cells. It may be used when the lymphoma cells are contained in one or two groups of lymph nodes in the same part of the body.
By: Juliet Cohen
About the Author:
Follicular lymphoma is one of the commonest types of lymphoma in Western countries. Follicular lymphoma accounts for 20-30% of all lymphomas. The incidence of follicular lymphomas increases with age. Follicular lymphomas are extremely rare in children. The ratio of male to female affected is about 2:3. The primary sign of the condition is frequently a painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin, caused by enlarged lymph nodes. Sometimes more than one group of nodes is affected. The lymphoma may spread to involve various organs in the body, such as the bone marrow, liver, lungs or skin. Some people experience a loss of appetite and tiredness.
Other symptoms may include night sweats, unexplained high temperatures, and weight loss. These are known as B type symptoms. Follicular lymphoma can become more aggressive over many years, and the follicular pattern may change from a lower percentage of large cells to primarily large cells. Treatment of follicular lymphoma depends on the stage and grade of the disease. Follicular lymphoma responds well to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. It may be given if the lymphoma has spread to several groups of lymph nodes and/or other organs.
Follicular lymphoma is very sensitive to chemotherapy and often disappears with this treatment. Chemotherapy drugs may be taken by mouth or as injections. Monoclonal antibody therapy with Rituximab has also been approved for treatment of follicular lymphoma. Bone marrow/stem cell transplantation is used increasingly as therapy for follicular lymphomas, especially in young patients. Radiotherapy is the use of high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to the healthy cells. It may be used when the lymphoma cells are contained in one or two groups of lymph nodes in the same part of the body.
By: Juliet Cohen
About the Author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for beauty tips. She also writes articles for hairstyles photo and makeup tips.
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