Follicular lymphoma (FL)
FL is a chronic relapsing and remitting disease, which accounts for approximately 22% of cases of NHL1. It most commonly presents as generalised disease, including spleen and bone marrow involvement, in individuals over 50 years of age. It is generally considered incurable.
FLs are characterised by rounded clusters of neoplastic B-cells (both centrocytes and centroblasts) that resemble the normal germinal centres. The clusters are relatively uniform in size and are so closely packed that the surrounding structure of the lymph node is compressed. Mantle zones are usually poorly defined. Proliferation is commonly follicular in appearance, but diffuse proliferation may be observed.
FL tumour cells express CD19, CD20 and CD79a, complement receptors (CD21 and CD35) and CD10. Cytoplasmic expression of Bcl-2 is also common2.
References
- Evans LS, Hancock BW. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Lancet 2003;362:139-46.
- Freedman A, et al. Follicular lymphoma. In: Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Mauch P, Armitage J, Coiffier B, Dalla-Favera R, Harris N, ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2004:367-388.
