Overview
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a type of blood cancer that starts in white blood cells called B-lymphocytes, which are part of your immune system. It is classified as a non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is one of the most common slow-growing (indolent) lymphomas in adults. The cancer cells collect mainly in the lymph nodes, which are small glands found throughout your body, but can also affect the bone marrow, spleen, and other organs. Most people with follicular lymphoma notice painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin. Because this cancer grows slowly, some people have no symptoms for years. Others may feel tired, lose weight without trying, sweat heavily at night, or feel full quickly because of an enlarged spleen. In some cases, follicular lymphoma can transform into a faster-growing type of lymphoma called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which requires more urgent treatment. Treatment depends on how advanced the disease is and how much it is affecting daily life. Some patients with early or mild disease are monitored closely without immediate treatment — an approach called 'watch and wait.' When treatment is needed, options include immunotherapy (such as rituximab), chemotherapy, targeted drugs like lenalidomide, and in some cases radiation or stem cell transplant. While follicular lymphoma is generally not curable with standard treatments, many people live for decades with good quality of life.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Painless swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groinPersistent tiredness or fatigueUnexplained weight lossDrenching night sweatsFever without an obvious infectionFeeling full quickly or discomfort in the abdomen due to an enlarged spleenShortness of breath if lymph nodes press on the chestFrequent infections due to a weakened immune systemItchy skinBone pain if the bone marrow is affectedAnemia (low red blood cell count) causing paleness and weakness
Clinical phenotype terms (17)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsTICAROS Co., Ltd. — PHASE2
New York State Psychiatric Institute — NA
Epkinly: FDA approved
in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL)
Sun Yat-sen University — EARLY_PHASE1
Gottfried von Keudell, MD PhD — PHASE2
Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
11 availableBRUKINSA
BRUKINSA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL), in combination with obinutuzumab, after two or more lines of systemic therapy.
MONJUVI
in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL)
GAZYVA
in combination with bendamustine followed by GAZYVA monotherapy, for the treatment of patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) who relapsed after, or are refractory to, a rituximab-containing regimen
Rituxan SC
Treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory, follicular lymphoma as a single agent; previously untreated follicular lymphoma in combination with first line chemotherapy and, in patients ac…
Treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory, follicular lymphoma as a single agent; previously untreated follicular lymphoma in combination with first line chemotherapy and, in patients achieving a complete or partial response to rituximab in combination with chemotherapy, as single-agent maintenance therapy; and non-progressing (including stable disease), follicular lymphoma as a single agent after first-line cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) chemotherapy
Epkinly
in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL)
Lunsumio
treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy
Kymriah
Treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy
Tazverik
TAZVERIK (tazemetostat) is indicated for: the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) whose tumors are positive for an EZH2 mutation as detected by an FD…
TAZVERIK (tazemetostat) is indicated for: the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) whose tumors are positive for an EZH2 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test and who have received at least 2 prior systemic therapies; and the treatment of adult patients with R/R FL who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Yescarta
Treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, prim…
Treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma
ALIQOPA
Treatment of adult patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma who have received at least two prior systemic therapies
Zydelig
Zydelig is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsed follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (FL) who have received at least two prior systemic therapies.
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
8 resourcesBreyanzi
Juno Therapeutics, Inc.
Breyanzi — Contact Juno Therapeutics, Inc.
Ukoniq
TG Therapeutics, Inc.
Ukoniq — Contact TG Therapeutics, Inc.
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Follicular lymphoma.
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5 articlesCaregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my follicular lymphoma, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Am I a candidate for 'watch and wait,' and how will we know when it is time to start treatment?,Which treatment do you recommend for me, and why is it the best choice for my situation?,What is the chance that my lymphoma could transform into a more aggressive type, and what signs should I watch for?,Are there clinical trials available that I should consider?,How will treatment affect my daily life, work, and ability to care for my family?,What follow-up schedule do I need, and what tests will be done to monitor my disease?
Common questions about Follicular lymphoma
What is Follicular lymphoma?
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a type of blood cancer that starts in white blood cells called B-lymphocytes, which are part of your immune system. It is classified as a non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is one of the most common slow-growing (indolent) lymphomas in adults. The cancer cells collect mainly in the lymph nodes, which are small glands found throughout your body, but can also affect the bone marrow, spleen, and other organs. Most people with follicular lymphoma notice painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin. Because this cancer grows slowly, some people have no symptoms
How is Follicular lymphoma inherited?
Follicular lymphoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Follicular lymphoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Follicular lymphoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Follicular lymphoma?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Follicular lymphoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Follicular lymphoma?
25 specialists and care centers treating Follicular lymphoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Follicular lymphoma?
11 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for Follicular lymphoma. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.