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Follicular lymphoma
High-YieldFree study guide for medical students and educators
~2 min readLast reviewed 2026-02-23
Also known as:FLFolicular lymphomaFL
Indolent B‑cell NHL with t(14;18) causing BCL2 overexpression and inhibited apoptosis.
- Classic cause of painless, waxing and waning lymphadenopathy; can transform to DLBCL.
- Middle‑aged adult with months of painless cervical/axillary nodes
- Nodes enlarge with stress or infections, then shrink (wax/wane)
- Indolent course → often observe if asymptomatic
- Confirm with flow/IHC (CD10+, BCL2+ in follicles)
| Condition | Distinguishing Feature |
|---|---|
| mantle-cell-lymphoma | cyclin D1+, t(11;14), older men |
| hodgkin-lymphoma | RS cells, contiguous spread |
- Observation if low tumor burden; rituximab‑based therapy if symptomatic
- t(14;18) → BCL2 next to IgH enhancer = anti‑apoptosis
- Transformation to DLBCL = sudden rapid node growth, systemic symptoms
- Small cleaved cells in follicular pattern; BCL2+ in germinal centers
⚡At a Glance
High-YieldSpecialtyHematology & Oncology
Key findingsMiddle‑aged adult with months of painless cervical/axillary...; Nodes enlarge with stress or infections, then shrink...
TreatmentObservation if low tumor burden; rituximab‑based therapy if symptomatic
Mnemonict(14;18) → BCL2 next to IgH enhancer = anti‑apoptosis