Follicular lymphoma cancer belongs to the class of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma---the abnormal and uncontrollable growth that occurs in a specific type of white blood cell known as a lymphocyte. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma accounts for the majority of lymphomas with one in five lymphomas classified as follicular lymphoma, according to the American Cancer Society. The cancer cells of follicular lymphoma grow in a circular, or nodular, pattern within the lymph nodes. Because follicular lymphoma grows slowly and produces few symptoms, doctors often take a "wait and see" approach, delaying treatment, as described by the Lymphoma Research Foundation.
Radiation
Radiation treatments use high-energy rays, known as ionizing radiation, to damage and kill cancer cells. Administration of radiation therapy can occur either internally or externally. Most non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, including follicular lymphoma, use external beam radiation in which the radiation source resides outside the body. Radiation therapy is effective in treating early-stage lymphomas, which include stage I and stage II disease.
Although doctors strive to aim the radiation at the cancer cells, some healthy cells will sustain damage creating side effects. Common side effects include sunburn-like skin irritation and fatigue. Depending on the part of the body receiving the radiation, other side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, headaches and memory loss may occur.
Chemotherapy
More advanced stages of follicular lymphoma may require chemotherapy--the use of anti-cancer drugs--to kill the cancer cells. The Lymphoma Research Foundation indicates that follicular lymphoma cancer is sensitive to both radiation and chemotherapy, and many doctors choose to use a combination of both therapies.
Although many chemotherapy medications can manage the disease, several combination therapies, known as cocktails, are commonly used. CHOP---a combination of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone; CVP---a combination of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine; and other commonly used chemotherapy agents show effectiveness in treating follicular lymphoma.
Radioactive Monoclonal Antibodies
Even though follicular lymphoma typically responds well to radiation and chemotherapy, the cancer can sometimes become resistant to treatment. In the case of drug-resistant lymphoma, a specific type of immunotherapy using radioactive monoclonal antibodies has proven effective. Scientists synthetically produce proteins normally produced by the immune system creating a drug, known as a monoclonal antibody, which specifically targets the cancer and stimulates the immune system to fight the disease. Several medications, such as ibritumomab and tositumomab, include a radioactive molecule attached to the monoclonal antibody delivering radiation directly to the lymphoma cells, according to the American Cancer Society.
