Low-grade lymphoma is a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a common blood cancer) that’s slow growing as opposed to high-grade lymphoma, an aggressive and fast-growing form of the disease.
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Although low-grade lymphoma (or indolent lymphoma as it’s also known) is very slow growing, it’s usually incurable. However, patients generally respond well to treatment and will have periods of remission. Treatments aim to slow the progression of the disease even further.
Initially, the lymphoma will be localized but can spread to different areas of the body if not treated. The treatment for low-grade lymphoma will depend on the patient’s overall health and how severe the cancer is.
Around 40 percent of patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma will have low-grade lymphoma, although it is generally more common in patients aged 50 and over. It affects both men and women equally.
Generally speaking, many low-grade lymphoma patients will not experience any symptoms of the disease in the early stages. As the disease progresses some of the signs include swollen but painless lymph nodes, night sweating, fatigue, weight loss, nausea and stomach and chest pain.
Low-grade lymphoma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic many other diseases. CAT and PET scans, biopsies, blood works and spinal taps are used for diagnosis. Find out more about low-grade lymphoma here.
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