Are 'B' symptoms the driver for getting treatment in Follicular NHL?

[Russ70]

I've seen a few on here that are on watch and wait like me, but do not have the 'B' symptoms like night sweats, itching, bones hurting, fever etc. I don't have any of these and am genuinely happy. Blood is normal as well. So are 'B' symptoms the driver for treatment?

[Shar0n Volunteer]

I don't have a definitive answer to that and it may differ with different doctors. I would say that B symptoms would be a red flag especially if combined with markers in the blood results. I hope others chip in on this as I would be interested to know also. I'm on watch and wait too.

[Russ70 in reply to Shar0n]

I've not got any, just be nice to know that's all

[Lizard28 in reply to Russ70]

Hi, I was diagnosed in July 2018, I had all the B symptoms and was stage 3, I was immediately started on chemo. I finished treatment in November. Everything was good till my second follow up appointment when I told doctor I had another lump on my neck. Went for x rays on my chest, biopsy and ultrasound on my neck but X-ray also showed signs of lymphnodes growing again. It was a positive biopsy so the same NMZL had come back, I wasn’t given maintenance as I was told it wasn’t available for my rare form of NHL. I only had six weeks remission so was a bit deflated. I am now on watch and wait as it’s too soon for more treatment but I also feel well apart from fatigue but I’m happy to be on watch and wait and hope I get a year or so on it before I need more treatment. I’m not sure that everyone’s treatment on watch and wait will be the same but that’s my story.

[luciabon in reply to Lizard28]

How are you now? Have youve heard about protons radiology?

[Lizard28 in reply to luciabon]

Hi, I’m feeling good atm apart from some itching but hope it’s just an allergy, thank you for asking. I’m afraid I’ve not heard about protons radiology.

[stillsue in reply to Lizard28]

Hi, Not sure if it is too late to add to post. And I don' t have a question, i just need to vent. I have marginal zone lymphoma, I was diagnosed in December 2017 I had enlarged lymph node on my neck, after pet scan and ct scan "it" was also found in my arm pit. Since then enlarged nodes are in my ears on the top where my glasses rest " that one is bothersome " and back of my neck, chest and now to other ear. "It" grows & shrinks, Dr. Calls it waxing and waning. Sometimes it aches, itches, not sure if that means it is growing? Just feeling itchy, swollen and sweaty, I'm hoping sweaty from menopause! I'm on watch and wait - feeling like watch, wait, grow and spread. Just one more vent - Why my neck? Like, I really didn't need anymore of a neck waddle!

[Lizard28 in reply to stillsue]

Hi, sorry to hear your watch and wait story, I feel the same at times, just waiting till it gets worse again, I go every three months to get bloods checked, it would have been nice to finish my chemo and been in remission for years. Sometimes I think the lump on my neck has gone then I feel it a bit bigger. I kind of forget about it then the appointment comes up again, more blood again and veins have had so much blood taken they are starting to resist it. Please feel free to vent, I honestly know how you feel.

[jmcobb50]

I have NH follicular Lymphoma stage 3 A and on W& W since August 2015. I suppose if you have B symptoms or your lab markers go up this would be initiated but honestly I don’t know.

[BLP1211]

I don't know. I only have a few occasions of itching. I have a CBD cream for it...it goes away. No real night sweats or it hasn't occurred enough to be noticed. The second biggest problem is the aching bones, but it doesn't last too long. It is aching now in my upper thigh. Fatigue is #1. It has improved .