Follicular Lymphoma (FL)

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a subtype of B-cell lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), that develops when the body makes an abnormal amount of B lymphocytes.

 

Normally, lymphocytes go through a standard life cycle where they die and then the body generates new ones to replace them. However, in FL, abnormal lymphocytes continue to grow in a slow and uncontrolled manner and the oversupply of these cells crowd into the lymph nodes, causing them to swell. These abnormal lymphocytes usually develop in clumps, referred to as follicles, inside lymph nodes.
 

Incidence

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FL is the second most common type of NHL and accounts for 22% of all NHL cases, with approximately 15,000 cases in the United States per year

Diagnostic

Average age of diagnosis is 65

Swelling

Swelling typically occurs in the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin

Signs and symptoms

Some people with FL do not experience any symptoms, but symptoms of FL can include:

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Fever

Weight loss

Unexplained weight loss

Fatigue

Fatigue

Sweats

Sweating
and chills

Lymp nodes

Painless swelling
of lymph nodes

Due to quiet nature of the disease, most cases are not diagnosed until stage 3 or 4

Stages and diagnosis of FL


Stage 1

Cancer is found on one group

of lymph nodes

~25%

cases diagnosed at this stage


Stage 2

Cancer is found on two or more

groups of lymph nodes on the

same side of the diaphragm

~15%

cases diagnosed at this stage

Unknown

~7%

of cases diagnosed at this stage

Diagnosis grpah

Stage 3

Cancer is found on lymph nodes

on both sides of the diaphragm

~26%

cases diagnosed at this stage


Stage 4

Cancer has spread outside of the

lymph nodes to bone marrow

and/or other organ systems

~27%

cases diagnosed at this stage


Healthcare providers may use several tests to diagnose FL, such as:

 

Biopsy

 

Blood test

 

Imaging test such as a CT or PET scan

In some cases, instead of treatment, an HCP may recommend active surveillance, meaning that the disease is monitored through regular checkups or follow-up evaluations, if there are no symptoms or evidence that the cancer is growing or spreading. Active treatment may be started if FL-related symptoms begin to develop or if there are signs of disease progression.


Treatment options may include

Radiation Monoclonal antibody therapy Stem cell Drug therapy Cell therapy

Radiation

Monoclonal antibody therapy

Stem cell transplant

Drug therapy

Cell therapy


As FL is considered an incurable disease, there remains unmet need for two main reasons:

01 Relapse

FL symptoms often subside after treatment and then come back. This cycle of remissionrelapse- remission can leave patients feeling like they’re never “done” with treatment.

20% of patients experience disease relapse within 2 years of treatment

02 Transformation

FL can change or transform into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a more aggressive cancer that typically causes new and more significant symptoms, including progression into other areas of the body.

Transformation can occur in any type of lymphoma, but is most common in FL

In 10 years, up to 33% of FL cases will transform into a more aggressive cancer


It is important for people with FL to understand their disease, recognize signs and symptoms and talk to a healthcare professional about available treatment options.

 

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