Master Follicular Lymphoma with Picmonic for Medicine

Follicular lymphoma usually presents in middle aged adults and afflicts men and females equally.

Follicular lymphoma is characterized by a (14;18) translocation that juxtaposes the IgH locus on chromosome 14 with the BCL2 locus on chromosome 18. This translocation is seen in approximately 90% of follicular lymphomas and causes the overexpression of the BCL2 gene.

BCL2 gene codes for apoptosis regulator proteins that antagonize apoptosis and promote the survival of follicular lymphoma cells. The translocation between chromosome 14 and 18 leads to overexpression of BCL2 and inhibition of apoptosis, leading to prolonged survival of follicular cells.

BCL2 gene codes for apoptosis regulator proteins that antagonize apoptosis and promote the survival of follicular lymphoma cells. The translocation between chromosome 14 and 18 leads to overexpression of BCL2 and inhibition of apoptosis, leading to prolonged survival of follicular cells.

This form of lymphoma typically follows a low grade indolent course. Indolent lymphomas are usually not considered curable because the cancer proliferates too slowly to be accurately targeted by most treatments.

Follicular lymphoma commonly presents with painless generalized lymphadenopathy.

Follicular lymphomas can involve extra-nodal sites including the bone marrow. The bone marrow is involved about a third of the time.