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Follicular lymphoma

Lillyloo
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  • 40 subscribers
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Hi,

I was diagnosed with FL 3 weeks ago. I was told I will most probably be on watch and wait for a while. I think it's grade 3, slow growing with 10% proliferation. I will be monitored at Christie Hospital, Manchester.

My question is what medical procedures will be used to monitor the disease? Will it be regular MRI's + blood tests?

  • Hello Lillyloo

    Thank you for contacting us at Macmillan via our online community and Ask a Nurse. I am George, one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan support line. Sorry to read that you have been diagnosed with follicular lymphoma. We do not have access to NHS records here at Macmillan and can only give general help and support based on the information you provided. But I do hope the information below helps answer your questions today.

    It is normal to be actively monitored when initially diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma, which has a proliferation rate such as yours. Proliferation is the percentage of cells in a sample that shows the abnormalities associated with this type of lymphoma and how quickly those cells divide and grow. The specialist Team will continue to monitor you, your blood and the proliferation in your blood. The levels can remain low for a considerable time, but they will be looking for the percentage to increase as and when further treatment may be required.

    You will remain under the specialist haematology team for long-term monitoring and any treatment as and when it may be required. You should have access to the consultant and a specialist Haematology Nurse (CNS), in case you have any concerns or problems. It's important to contact them if you have any problems or concerns, as they may need to assess you sooner in between scheduled reviews if you are unwell for any reason.

    They will monitor you with regular blood tests every 2-3 months and periodic scans if required. They perform a special type of test on your routine bloods called a blood film, which involves looking very closely at your cells to determine the proliferation rate and determine what the follicular lymphoma is doing at that time of the blood test.

    It's normal to have many questions and possible worries when diagnosed with a type of lymphoma. We offer help and support for all areas of your life and the possible uncertainty caused by such a diagnosis. Please contact us if you have further questions, concerns or worries.

    I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please get in touch by email, webchat or phone. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

     

    Take care and Kind Regards

    George

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    Ref GHi/PN

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