The follicular lymphoma is among the cancers that affect older people. This cancer grows slowly and is a type of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. It usually comes from types of white blood cells called B-cells. It is called an indolent or low-grade lymphoma due to the way it appears under the microscope and its slow behavior.
It is similar to other lymphomas as it affects mainly lymph nodes. When affected lymph nodes are examined under the microscope they appear as rounded structures called follicles. Due to its slow development, it could remain in the body unnoticed for years. The cancer can thus be quite advanced before it is diagnosed.
It may be caused by various genetic changes occurring in the cells making them to multiply abnormally and quickly. According to some scientists, it could also be caused by underlying illnesses and medicines that cause suppression of immune system. The other causes are chemical exposure, viral infections and old age among others.
It is usually in 3 stages and many patients are diagnosed in either stage 2 or 3. This is because the disease flares up then regresses many times over the years. It symptoms are in form of minor warning signs that can go unnoticed for long. They include enlargement of the lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, fatigue and sweating among other symptoms.
Diagnosis is usually done by a pathologist through a lymph node biopsy. This involves examining samples of affected nodes under the microscope. The doctor can tell the presence of this cancer from observing the features of affected nodes. The sample undergoes other tests to determine the stage and the organs affected. These additional tests include CT scans, blood tests plus bone marrow tests. These tests help to determine the prognosis and the treatment approach.
If this cancer advances, other bodily organs might be affected such as liver plus bone marrow and this could be fatal. A number of treatments are available based on prognostic scores, general health of the patient, age and stage. During early stages radio therapy could be used and stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy in more advanced stages. There are other treatments that are approved such as using monoclonal antibody therapy.
Follicular lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymph nodes. Since it develops slowly, it is sometimes diagnosed at an advanced, life threatening stage. It is therefore important for older people to undergo tests regularly to diagnose and treat this cancer early enough. The survival range with proper treatment could be more than 20 years.
It is similar to other lymphomas as it affects mainly lymph nodes. When affected lymph nodes are examined under the microscope they appear as rounded structures called follicles. Due to its slow development, it could remain in the body unnoticed for years. The cancer can thus be quite advanced before it is diagnosed.
It may be caused by various genetic changes occurring in the cells making them to multiply abnormally and quickly. According to some scientists, it could also be caused by underlying illnesses and medicines that cause suppression of immune system. The other causes are chemical exposure, viral infections and old age among others.
It is usually in 3 stages and many patients are diagnosed in either stage 2 or 3. This is because the disease flares up then regresses many times over the years. It symptoms are in form of minor warning signs that can go unnoticed for long. They include enlargement of the lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, fatigue and sweating among other symptoms.
Diagnosis is usually done by a pathologist through a lymph node biopsy. This involves examining samples of affected nodes under the microscope. The doctor can tell the presence of this cancer from observing the features of affected nodes. The sample undergoes other tests to determine the stage and the organs affected. These additional tests include CT scans, blood tests plus bone marrow tests. These tests help to determine the prognosis and the treatment approach.
If this cancer advances, other bodily organs might be affected such as liver plus bone marrow and this could be fatal. A number of treatments are available based on prognostic scores, general health of the patient, age and stage. During early stages radio therapy could be used and stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy in more advanced stages. There are other treatments that are approved such as using monoclonal antibody therapy.
Follicular lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymph nodes. Since it develops slowly, it is sometimes diagnosed at an advanced, life threatening stage. It is therefore important for older people to undergo tests regularly to diagnose and treat this cancer early enough. The survival range with proper treatment could be more than 20 years.
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