Lymphoma- small cleaved-cell- follicular
Overview
A slow-growing cancer of the lymph system consisting of small cells that can circulate readily in the blood. The cancer occurs in a follicular pattern. Despite it's ability to spread, the cancer tends to be less aggressive than the large cell variety.
Symptoms
* Lymphadenopathy * Fever * Abdominal pain * Fatigue * Nigh sweats * Weight loss * Itchy skin * Enlarged lymph nodes
Causes
Most cases of follicular lymphoma, especially those rich in small-cleaved cells, have a t(14;18) gene translocation. This results in a rearranged and constitutively over-expressed gene called BCL-2. The BCL-2 gene tells the body to produce an inner mitochondrial membrane protein that blocks programmed cell death (apoptosis). Although this protein is produced by an unrearranged BCL-2 gene in much benign (non-cancerous) lymphoid tissue and is present in many lymphomas besides follicular ones, it is not detected in benign, reactive germinal center cells
Treatment
1) single-agent alkylator chemotherapy 2) low-intensity combined chemotherapy without an anthracycline 3) whole-body irradiation