Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the second most prevalent subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), constituting nearly 30% of all lymphomas. It is recognized as the most common clinically indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The five-year survival rate is 87.7%, with a higher survival rate observed among younger patients. The incidence of follicular lymphoma is approximately 3.5 individuals per 100,000.

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What Is Follicular Lymphoma?

Follicular lymphoma is a slow-progressing cancer affecting our body’s lymphatic system. It is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Follicular lymphoma develops when the body makes abnormal B lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell (WBC) that usually helps us fight infections. When you have lymphoma, abnormal lymphocytes build up in the lymph nodes or other body organs. The abnormal lymphocytes start crowding the lymph nodes, outnumbering the healthy ones. This leads to a compromised immune system which leads to health complications.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of lymphoma that lack the distinctive Reed-Sternberg cells seen in Hodgkin lymphoma. It can begin in any lymph node or organ of the lymphatic system and spreads unpredictably. While Hodgkin Lymphoma is rare compared to Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin Lymphoma is a much more treatable form of cancer. But with bone marrow transplants, the chances of treating NHL have drastically increased.

About The Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is an integral part of our immune system because it contains many white blood cells (lymphocytes) to fight off infections. It consists of lymphatic tubes/vessels that branch throughout the body. The colourless fluid, called the lymph, is circulated in the body tissues via these vessels.

What Are The Causes Of Follicular Lymphoma?

The causes of follicular lymphoma are unknown to scientists. They do know that chromosomal abnormalities cause approximately 85% of cases. The changes allow the unhealthy or malignant cells to reproduce and grow. Oncologists are still studying all the cancer cases to understand the cause better.

Follicular lymphoma has been found to be common in people with immune system disease or people who aretakign drugs for suppressing their immune system. Infections like epstein barr virus and helicobacter pylori infection.

Follicular Lymphoma Symptoms

As follicular lymphoma is a slow-growing cancer, you won’t immediately see any symptoms. A person can have follicular lymphoma even without symptoms. Some symptoms of follicular lymphoma are:

• Swollen lymph nodes around neck, armpits and groin area (painless swellings)

• Heavy sweating at night

• Splenomegaly

• High temperatures come and go with no apparent cause.

• Losing a lot of weight (more than one-tenth of your weight within six months)

• Fatigue

Follicular Lymphoma Grading

Doctors stage lymphoma on the basis of its spread so they know what kind of treatment may be best to treat the cancer. Follicular lymphoma stages range from I to IV:

• Stage I: Cancer is discovered in one or more lymph nodes. Around 25% of all follicular lymphoma cases are diagnosed at this stage.

• Stage II: Cancer is discovered in the lymph nodes above or below the diaphragm. Around 15% of all follicular lymphoma cases are diagnosed at this stage.

• Stage III: Cancer is seen in lymph nodes on both sides of your diaphragm. At this stage, healthcare providers diagnose approximately 26% of all follicular lymphoma cases.

• Stage IV: Cancer has gone beyond the lymph nodes to the bone marrow and/or other organ systems. At this stage, approximately 27% of all follicular lymphoma cases are diagnosed by healthcare providers.

What Are The Complications Of Follicular Lymphoma?

The complications of follicular lymphoma are:

• Relapse: The main complication of follicular lymphoma is its reoccurrence. The symptoms often subside post-treatment and then come back. This relapse makes people feel as if they can never be done with the treatments.

• Transformation: In a few cases, follicular lymphoma can transform into a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a more aggressive cancer that typically causes new and more significant symptoms. It includes spreading cancer into other areas of your body.

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Diagnosis of Follicular Lymphoma

Your doctor will use several tests to diagnose the disease, such as:

• Biopsy
• CT Scan
• PET Scan

Read more here.

Follicular Lymphoma Treatment

The treatment of follicular lymphoma mainly depends on the cancer’s progression. There are cases where the patient might not require immediate treatment as they are yet to show symptoms. In such cases, the doctors will advise watchful surveillance. In watchful waiting, you have regular appointments with the doctor so they can do physical examinations, laboratory tests and imaging tests. The tests are done regularly to check the progression of the cancer.

Possible treatment options are:

• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy: A treatment that uses drugs to destroy or slow down the growth of cancer cells. It is commonly used as an oral or intravenous therapy, circling throughout the body to reach cancer cells. Chemotherapy is generally combined with other treatments to treat follicular lymphoma.

• Targeted Therapy: Some drugs can target certain cancers to curtail their spread. In targeted therapy, the drugs only target the cancerous cells, leaving out the normal cells.

• Immunotherapy: The treatment involves strengthening the immune system to fight off the cancer cells. Immunotherapy fuels your body’s production of cancer-fighting cells or helps healthy cells identify and attack cancer cells.

• Bone Marrow Transplant: Your healthcare provider may suggest stem cell therapy/bone marrow transplant if your cancer relapses after chemotherapy.

• Monoclonal Antibody Therapy: Lab-created artificial antibodies, specifically designed to target cancer cells, are used to fight off follicular lymphoma.

Follicular Lymphoma Treatment Cost In India

The cost of follicular lymphoma treatment in India depends on the treatment plan devised by the oncologist. So, depending upon that and the hospital chosen, the follicular lymphoma treatment cost in India falls between $3500-$4500.

Follicular Lymphoma Treatment Hospitals In India

Discover the top hospitals in India acknowledged for their expertise in treating follicular lymphoma. Investigate the world-class medical facilities and cutting-edge therapies these hospitals provide to provide the best care for patients with follicular lymphoma. GoMedii has developed a list of top follicular lymphoma treatment hospitals in India so that you can receive cost-effective, hassle-free care.

The Hospitals are:

1. Aster Medicity, Kochi
2. Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Chennai
3. Max Hospital, Gurugram
4. Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram
5. Fortis Hospital, NOIDA
6. Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, Delhi
7. Sharda Hospitals, Greater NOIDA
8. MGM Healthcare, Chennai
9. Apollo Proton Cancer Center, Chennai
10. Jaypee Hospitals, NOIDA

FAQs On Follicular Lymphoma Treatment In India

Is follicular lymphoma cancer curable?

No, follicular lymphoma is not curable. But the symptoms can be treated to alleviate the discomfort caused by the symptoms and get you into remission. Timely treatment is important in the case of follicular lymphoma due to the cancer’s complications, such as relapse and transformation into a more aggressive form. People who have no symptoms may not need treatment for a long time, if at all.

Is follicular lymphoma severe?

Yes, follicular lymphoma is a severe disease due to the increased risk of relapse or its transformation into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a more aggressive form of B lymphocyte cancer.

Can surgery cure follicular lymphoma?

Surgery is not a preferred option as although it may remove the cancerous lump; some cancer can be left behind, giving rise to relapse. Early-stage follicular lymphoma is generally treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiation.

What is the cost of follicular lymphoma treatment in India?

The cost of follicular lymphoma treatment in India depends on the treatment plan devised by the oncologist. So, depending upon that and the hospital chosen, the follicular lymphoma treatment cost in India falls between $3500-$4500.

What is the main cause of follicular lymphoma?

According to a study by National Organization for Rare Disorders, about 85% of follicular lymphoma patients have been found to carry a genetic abnormality called a translocation in the cancer cells, in which portions of chromosomes 14 and 18 break off and switch places. This leads to changes at the molecular level, leading to abnormal cell growth.

What is the survival rate for follicular lymphoma?

The five-year survival rate for follicular lymphoma stands at 74%. This means that 74% of people diagnosed with follicular lymphoma will live for at least five years after diagnosis.

The above article has been proofread by our in-house health expert Dr Alok Pandey, physician (MBBS).

Choose GoMedii For The Best Follicular Lymphoma Treatment In India

If you are looking for affordable Follicular Lymphoma Treatment In India, you are at the right place and time! Trust GoMedii with your treatment; we assure you of a top-notch, hassle-free process.

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