What is indolent lymphoma?

Indolent lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that is characterized by slow growth and a relatively mild clinical course. Indolent lymphomas are typically low-grade, meaning that they have small, well-differentiated cells that appear relatively normal under a microscope.

There are several different subtypes of indolent lymphoma, including:

- Follicular lymphoma: This is the most common type of indolent lymphoma. It is characterized by the presence of follicles, which are clusters of lymphoid cells.

- Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL): SLL is a type of indolent lymphoma that is characterized by the presence of small, mature lymphocytes.

- Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL): MZL is a type of indolent lymphoma that is characterized by the presence of lymphocytes that are located in the marginal zone of the lymph nodes.

- Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM): WM is a type of indolent lymphoma that is characterized by the production of a monoclonal IgM protein.

Indolent lymphomas typically have a good prognosis, with many patients living for many years with the disease. However, some indolent lymphomas can eventually transform into more aggressive lymphomas.

Treatment for indolent lymphoma typically involves watchful waiting, which means closely monitoring the disease without active treatment. Treatment may be necessary if the lymphoma starts to grow or cause symptoms. Treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplant.