[Follicular lymphoma].

Abstract

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most popular indolent lymphoma. In discussing the appropriate first-line therapy, FL patients are divided into 3 clinical categories: 1) localized-stage FL in which local irradiation is recommended and 30-50% of patients experience long progression-free survival, 2) low-tumor burden advanced-stage FL in which watchful waiting strategy is generally recommended, 3) high-tumor burden advanced-stage FL in which CHOP plus rituximab(R) is recommended and bendamustine plus R is a potent therapeutic option. In relapsed/refractory FL, re-biopsy is needed to evaluate the possible histological transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Relapsed/refractory FL patients should be registered in clinical study because the optimal treatment in such patients is unconfirmed.