Imagine, Samantha Akka always says that she is very tired, and she sweats at night. Sometimes she also says that she gets a small lump on her neck. Although these are sometimes not taken into account in our daily lives, they can be symptoms of a disease like Follicular Lymphoma. Don't worry, we will talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is Follicular Lymphoma?
Simply put, follicular lymphoma is a very slow-growing type of cancer . To be precise, it is a cancer that develops in our lymph cells. It can develop in your lymph nodes - or, as we call them, your lymph nodes - or your bone marrow, or in other internal organs. The amazing thing is that some people can have this disease without showing any symptoms . That is why doctors consider it a chronic illness . The good news is that there are treatments for it. However, sometimes the disease can come back after treatment. But doctors think that the time is not far away when this disease can be completely cured with new treatments.
Who is most likely to get this disease?
According to statistics, about three to four people out of every hundred thousand (about 3.5) may develop this condition. People over the age of 65 are especially likely to develop this disease than younger people. It has also been found that men are more likely to develop this disease compared to women.
How does Follicular Lymphoma affect my body?
Follicular lymphoma is a subtype of B-cell lymphoma , a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma . Therefore, it can also show symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, and night sweats .
However, many people are diagnosed with the disease before they even have any symptoms . For someone who has no symptoms and is in good health, doctors may not start treatment right away. Instead, they will go with a strategy called 'watchful waiting' or 'active surveillance' . This means that doctors are constantly monitoring your health and symptoms.
This disease can affect you mentally before it affects you physically. A recent study has shown that people with follicular lymphoma and similar slow-growing lymphomas suffer from excessive anxiety due to the uncertainty of 'When will symptoms appear?' and 'When will treatment begin?'
Is Follicular Lymphoma a serious disease?
Yes, follicular lymphoma can be a significant and challenging condition . There are several reasons for this:
- Transformation: Sometimes, follicular lymphoma can transform into a more aggressive type of cancer called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) . This can cause new, more severe symptoms and spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. About 3 percent (3%) of people with follicular lymphoma will transform into DLBCL. Imagine how difficult it is to suddenly have a serious illness.
- Relapse: Another challenge with this disease is that after treatment, symptoms can go into remission, and then flare up again after a while. This cycle of remission-relapse-remission makes it difficult for people with this disease to ever feel like they are 'over'. In other words, they always have to live with a little fear in their hearts.
What are the symptoms of Follicular Lymphoma?
There are several common symptoms that can be seen in this disease. But remember, just because you have these symptoms does not mean you have this disease. But it is important to be aware of these things.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin area without any pain. We call them swollen lymph nodes, that's what they are.
- Fever without any other infection or illness.
- Weight loss for no apparent reason. You should be concerned, especially if you have lost 10% or more of your body weight in the past 6 months .
- Sweating and feeling cold. Especially if you sweat so much that you wet your bed at night (drenching night sweats) and it persists, it may be a symptom of a medical condition.
- Fatigue. This is not normal fatigue. It is extreme fatigue that makes it difficult to perform even the most basic daily tasks .
What causes Follicular Lymphoma?
In fact, researchers still don't know all the exact causes of this disease. But they have found that in about 85 percent (85%) of cases, the main cause of this disease is changes in our chromosomes . Because of these changes, abnormal, or cancer, cells begin to divide and multiply without control.
How do doctors diagnose follicular lymphoma?
Doctors use several tests to determine exactly whether or not you have this disease.
- Biopsy: This involves taking a small piece of tissue from a swollen lymph node and examining it under a microscope to see if it contains cancer cells. This is the main way to confirm the disease .
- PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography - PET scan): This scan can show how active the cancer cells are, how far they have spread, and the grade of the cancer.
- CT scan (Computed Tomography - CT scan): This helps doctors see where the cancer is in the body, how big it is, and how it is responding to treatment.
What are the stages of Follicular Lymphoma?
Like any cancer, follicular lymphoma has different stages. These stages are used by doctors to decide what type of treatment is best. There are four main stages (I to IV):
- Stage I: Cancer is present in one or more lymph node regions . About 25 percent (25%) of follicular lymphoma cases are diagnosed at this stage.
- Stage II: Cancer is present in two or more lymph node regions above or below the diaphragm (the muscle that separates our chest and stomach). About 15 percent (15%) of patients are diagnosed at this stage.
- Stage III: Cancer is in the lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm (above and below) . About 26 percent (26%) of patients are diagnosed at this stage.
- Stage IV: The cancer has spread beyond the lymph nodes, to the bone marrow or other organ systems . About 27 percent (27%) of patients are diagnosed at this most advanced stage.
How is Follicular Lymphoma treated?
Doctors don't use the same treatment for everyone when treating follicular lymphoma. Treatment is determined by many factors, including the patient's condition and the stage of the disease. Sometimes, a combination of 'watchful waiting' and other treatments is used.
- Watchful waiting or active surveillance: If your doctor recommends this approach, you will need to see your doctor regularly, have physical exams, blood tests, and scans . This means waiting until symptoms appear or the disease gets worse.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy can be used in early-stage disease, when the cancer is confined to one area. It uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells.
- Monoclonal antibody therapy: This is a slightly more complex treatment. Simply put, it uses a type of antibody that is specially made in a laboratory . These antibodies can find and destroy cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: This is something that many people hear when talking about cancer treatment. It involves using special drugs to destroy cancer cells . Chemotherapy may be given alone or in combination with other treatments.
- Targeted therapy: The drugs used in this type of therapy target and attack only cancer cells, without harming normal healthy cells . This can reduce side effects.
- Immunotherapy: This is a very interesting treatment. It works by stimulating your own immune system to fight cancer. It either increases the production of cells that fight cancer cells, or it helps healthy cells recognize and attack cancer cells.
- Bone marrow/stem cell transplantation: If follicular lymphoma relapses after chemotherapy, doctors may recommend this treatment. This involves replacing the diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow or stem cells.
Can follicular lymphoma be prevented?
Unfortunately, researchers have not yet found a specific way to reduce the risk of developing this disease. If you have any concerns or doubts about this, the best thing to do is to see your doctor and talk about your medical history and family medical history. Then the doctor can give you the necessary advice.
How long can you live with Follicular Lymphoma?
As we've discussed before, follicular lymphoma is a slow-growing, chronic illness . This means that you can live with this disease for a long time. Studies have shown that about half (about 50%) of people diagnosed with this disease live for almost 20 years . Also, about 90% of patients are still alive 5 years after the disease is diagnosed. So this shows that even though this is a fatal disease, there is a chance to live with it.
How can I take care of myself?
Self-care is very important when living with cancer. Here are some things that can help you as you deal with this disease:
- Develop good eating and exercise habits. Ask a nutritionist or doctor for a healthy diet that suits you. Exercising as much as possible is also very good for your body.
- Fatigue is a common symptom of this disease, and it can also be a side effect of treatment. So listen to your body. When you feel tired, rest not only when you can, but also when you need to.
- You may have to live with this cancer for a long time . That's really good news. However, living with a chronic illness can be mentally challenging. Therefore, talking to a therapist or joining a support group for people with this condition can be very helpful for your mental health. It's also a great strength to know that you're not alone.
When should I see my doctor?
After you are diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, your doctor will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your condition and treatment. Be sure to keep these appointments.
However, if you notice any changes in your body or new symptoms (follicular lymphoma symptoms), see your doctor as soon as possible and tell them about it. The earlier it is detected, the easier it is to treat.
Final Take-Home Message
The word cancer scares us, doesn't it? Even with a slow-growing cancer like Follicular Lymphoma, it's not easy. You may not have any symptoms for years. But once symptoms appear, you may have to go through a cycle of treatment, remission, recurrence, and treatment again. You may even wonder, 'When will I ever get rid of this?'
But the most important thing is not to give up hope. Researchers are constantly trying to find new treatments to make this disease a curable disease.
If you have Follicular Lymphoma, talk to your doctor and be clear about your treatment options. Don't be afraid to ask questions. With the right information and support, you will be empowered to face this challenge!
` Follicular Lymphoma, Lymphoma, Cancer, Lymph Nodes, Symptoms, Treatment, B-Cell Lymphoma
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