Overview
Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a group of slow-growing cancers that start in a type of white blood cell called B lymphocytes (B cells). These B cells are part of your immune system and normally help fight infections. When they become cancerous, they grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, but much more slowly than aggressive lymphomas. Common subtypes include follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (Waldenström macroglobulinemia). The disease most often affects the lymph nodes, but it can also involve the spleen, bone marrow, and other organs. Many patients first notice painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin. Other symptoms may include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, and recurrent infections. Some patients have no symptoms at all and are diagnosed during routine blood work or imaging done for other reasons. Because these lymphomas grow slowly, treatment is not always needed right away. A common approach is called 'watch and wait' or active surveillance, where doctors monitor the disease closely and begin treatment only when symptoms develop or the disease progresses. When treatment is needed, options include chemotherapy, immunotherapy (such as rituximab), targeted therapies, and sometimes radiation therapy. While indolent B-cell NHL is generally not considered curable with standard treatments, many patients live for many years with a good quality of life. Newer therapies continue to improve outcomes.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Painless swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groinPersistent fatigue or tirednessUnexplained weight lossDrenching night sweatsFever without infectionFeeling full or discomfort in the belly due to enlarged spleenFrequent or recurring infectionsShortness of breathItchy skinLow blood counts causing bruising or bleeding easilyAnemia causing paleness and weaknessLoss of appetiteBone pain in some cases
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsOhio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — PHASE1
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — PHASE1, PHASE2
University of Utah — PHASE1
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — PHASE2
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — PHASE3
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine — PHASE2
University of Washington — PHASE2
Mayo Clinic — PHASE2
Shanghai YingLi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. — PHASE4
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
3 availableBendeka
BENDEKA is indicated for the treatment of patients with indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regim…
BENDEKA is indicated for the treatment of patients with indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen.
Treanda
TREANDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regim…
TREANDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that has progressed during or within six months of treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen
Zevalin
Treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular, or transformed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including patients with Rituximab (Rituxan?) refractory follicular non-Hodgkin?s …
Treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular, or transformed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including patients with Rituximab (Rituxan?) refractory follicular non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma
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
1 resourcesTravel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Acalabrutinib and Obinutuzumab for the Treatment of Previously Untreated Follicular Lymphoma or Other Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: The Effects of Exercise on Immune Phenotype of Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: A Study of Epcoritamab With Lenalidomide and Tafasitamab in People With Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Epcoritamab-CAR T Cells for Large B-cell Lymphomas
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: A Study of BI-1206 in Combination With Rituximab With or Without Acalabrutinib in Subjects With Indolent B-Cell NHL
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Anti-CD19/20/22 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells (TriCAR19.20.22 T Cells) for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: Rituximab and Zanubrutinib in Patients With Indolent B-cell Lymphomas
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: A Study of Reduced Dose Radiation Therapy for People With B-Cell Lymphomas
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: CC-99282 + Rituximab Early Post CART for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
New recruiting trial: ST-067 in Combination With CD19-Directed CAR T-Cell Therapy (Liso-cel) in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Caregiver 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 specific subtype of indolent B-cell lymphoma do I have, and what does that mean for my outlook?,Do I need treatment right away, or is watch and wait appropriate for me?,What are the signs that my disease is progressing or transforming into a more aggressive type?,What treatment options are available if and when I need them, and what are the side effects?,Are there any clinical trials I should consider?,How often will I need follow-up visits, blood tests, and imaging scans?,Should my tumor be tested for specific genetic changes like EZH2 mutations that could guide treatment?
Common questions about Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
What is Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a group of slow-growing cancers that start in a type of white blood cell called B lymphocytes (B cells). These B cells are part of your immune system and normally help fight infections. When they become cancerous, they grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, but much more slowly than aggressive lymphomas. Common subtypes include follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (Waldenström macroglobulinemia). The disease most often affects the lymph nodes, but it can also involve the spl
How is Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma inherited?
Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Yes — 20 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
25 specialists and care centers treating Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin 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 Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.