Onkologie. 2009:3(3):147-151

Current principles of diagnostics and treatment of follicular lymphoma

Andrea Janíková, prof. MUDr. Jiří Mayer CSc, Josef Michalka, Ingrid Vášová, Zdeněk Král
Interní hematoonkologická klinika LF MU a FN Brno

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common of the indolent non-Hodgkin´s lymphomas. Despite remaining an incurable disease, overall

survival improvements have been noted in patients with advanced disease. The Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI)

is a robust prognostic index in this disease, and continues to provide prognostic information in the rituximab era. FLIPI and biological

factors, or histological grade can help to identify patients at high risk of early relapse or transformation respectivelly, and distinguish

between benefits of early intervention vs. a watch-and-wait policy in asymptomatic advanced disease. Rituximab has significantly

changed the management of follicular lymphoma, the most dramatic impact of rituximab is observed in combination with cytotoxic

chemotherapy and with rituximab-maintenance in relapsing patients. Reccurent and resistant disease (including rituximab-refractory)

remains a problem, and a standard approach in these setting includes radioimmunotherapy, autologous stem cell transplantation, or

allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Keywords: follicular lymphoma, rituximab, radioimmunotherapy.

Published: June 15, 2009  Show citation

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Janíková A, Mayer J, Michalka J, Vášová I, Král Z. Current principles of diagnostics and treatment of follicular lymphoma. Onkologie. 2009;3(3):147-151.
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