Indolent lymphoma
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's weight loss doctor NYC
Philadelphia GLP-1 weight loss and GLP-1 clinic NYC
| Indolent lymphoma | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Lymphadenopathy, fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss |
| Complications | Transformation to aggressive lymphoma |
| Onset | Typically in adulthood |
| Duration | Chronic |
| Types | Follicular lymphoma, Marginal zone lymphoma, Small lymphocytic lymphoma |
| Causes | Genetic mutations, immune system dysfunction |
| Risks | Age, family history, immunosuppression |
| Diagnosis | Biopsy, immunophenotyping, imaging studies |
| Differential diagnosis | N/A |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Watchful waiting, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Variable, often long-term survival |
| Frequency | Common among non-Hodgkin lymphomas |
| Deaths | N/A |
Indolent lymphoma refers to a group of lymphomas, which are types of cancer that originate from the lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the immune system. These lymphomas are characterized by their slow-growing nature, often presenting with few symptoms in the early stages. Indolent lymphomas are a subset of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) and contrast with the more aggressive forms of lymphoma, which require immediate treatment.
Types of Indolent Lymphoma[edit]
Several types of lymphoma fall under the category of indolent lymphoma, including but not limited to:
- Follicular lymphoma: The most common type of indolent lymphoma, originating from B lymphocytes.
- Marginal zone lymphoma: Includes extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (also known as MALT lymphoma), nodal marginal zone lymphoma, and splenic marginal zone lymphoma.
- Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL): Closely related to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), SLL affects the B lymphocytes but is primarily found in the lymph nodes.
- Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma: A rare type of lymphoma that produces an excessive amount of a protein called monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM), leading to the condition known as Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.
Symptoms[edit]
The symptoms of indolent lymphoma are often subtle and can include:
- Swollen, painless lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of indolent lymphoma typically involves a combination of:
- Physical examination
- Blood tests
- Imaging tests, such as Computed tomography (CT) scan or Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Biopsy of the affected lymph node
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for indolent lymphoma varies depending on the stage and symptoms of the disease. In some cases, immediate treatment may not be necessary, and a watchful waiting approach is adopted. When treatment is required, options may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy drugs
Prognosis[edit]
The prognosis for indolent lymphoma patients can vary widely. Many individuals live with the disease for many years due to its slow-growing nature. Treatment advancements have significantly improved the outlook for many patients, although the disease is generally considered incurable with current therapies.
See Also[edit]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding the page. |
