Follicular Lymphoma Epidemiology Forecast

• Follicular lymphoma is a slow-growing B-cell cancer primarily affecting lymph nodes and has a histological appearance similar to follicular lymphoid structures. The malignant cells in follicular lymphoma originate from germinal center B-cells within the lymphoid follicle, particularly centrocytes and centroblasts
• A key characteristic of the disease is the t(14;18)(q32;q21) chromosomal translocation. This translocation moves the BCL2 gene under the control of the IGH gene enhancer, leading to the overproduction of the anti-apoptotic BCL2 protein.
• The diagnosis is made through histological examination of a biopsy from a lymph node or other affected tissue. An incisional biopsy is preferred over a needle biopsy to obtain sufficient tissue for grading and assessing transformation. Immunohistochemical staining typically shows positive results for CD19, CD20, CD10, monoclonal immunoglobulin, and cytoplasmic bcl-2 protein expression in nearly all cases. Most cases also exhibit the characteristic t(14;18) translocation involving the IgH and bcl-2 genes. 
• The total number of diagnosed incidence cases of follicular lymphoma across the 7MM was around 35,000 in 2024. 
• In 2024, females represented the highest number of cases in the 7MM, with approximately 18,000 cases.
• In 2024, Italy accounted for approximately 20% cases of grade-specific cases among EU4 and the UK.

DelveInsight’s  “Follicular lymphoma – Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of Follicular Lymphoma, historical and forecasted epidemiology in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan.

The table given below further depicts the key segments provided in the report:

Follicular Lymphoma: Disease Understanding

Follicular Lymphoma Overview, and Diagnosis

Follicular lymphoma is the most prevalent subtype of low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It arises from the abnormal proliferation of white blood cells, which aggregate to form nodular masses within lymph nodes or lymphatic organs.

Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in understanding the biology of follicular lymphoma, particularly through the identification of recurrent mutations in histones, JAK-STAT, and NF-kappaB signaling pathways. Early driver mutations in chromatin regulatory genes such as CREBBP, EZH2, and KMT2D have also been frequently observed. This deeper understanding has led to some clinical advancements, such as the approval of tazemetostat, an EZH2 inhibitor, for patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma, especially those with EZH2-mutated disease.

Although historically considered incurable, the median overall survival for patients with follicular lymphoma has significantly improved over the past 20 years, with many patients now living longer and dying from other causes. Despite these advances, variability in the management of both newly diagnosed and relapsed disease remains widespread. Treatment decisions are still largely clinical, with radiation therapy used for early-stage disease, rituximab for low tumor burden cases, and chemoimmunotherapy for patients with high tumor burden.

The primary symptom of follicular lymphoma is lymphadenopathy, commonly experienced as painless swelling or lumps in the lymph nodes. This is often referred to as having "swollen glands." These enlarged lymph nodes are most frequently noticed in areas such as the neck, armpits, or groin—the region where the upper thigh meets the lower abdomen.

Symptoms may also include:

• Pain in the chest or stomach area (abdomen)
• Bone pain
• Skin lumps
• Coughing or breathlessness

Healthcare providers may employ a range of diagnostic tests to confirm follicular lymphoma. A biopsy is typically performed to obtain a sample of lymph node tissue, which is then examined for the presence of cancerous cells. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans are used to assess cancer cell activity and determine the grade of the lymphoma. Additionally, computed tomography (CT) scans may be utilized to monitor the extent of the disease and evaluate the patient's response to treatment.

Follicular Lymphoma Epidemiology

The Follicular lymphoma epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Diagnosed Incidence Cases of Follicular Lymphoma, Gender-specific Cases of Follicular Lymphoma, Age-specific Cases of Follicular Lymphoma, Stage-specific Cases of Follicular Lymphoma, and Grade-specific Cases of Follicular Lymphoma in the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2021 to 2034.

• In 2024, the total diagnosed incidence cases of follicular lymphoma in the United States was around 17,000.
• In 2024, Germany reported around 1,500 cases of follicular lymphoma among males and approx. 1,700 cases among females. 
• In 2024, follicular lymphoma cases in the EU4 and the UK were around ≤40 years (~500 cases), 40–59 years (~3,000 cases), 60–80 years (~8,000 cases), and ≥80 years (~2,000 cases).
• In 2024, Japan reported a varied distribution of follicular lymphoma cases by grade, with approximately 1,800 cases for Grade 1, 1,300 cases for Grade 2, and 1,000 cases for Grade 3.
• In Spain, during 2024, the 60–80 age group accounted for approximately 1,100 cases of follicular lymphoma, representing a significant portion of the country's total reported cases.

KOL Views

To gaze into the epidemiology insights of the real world, we take KOLs and SMEs’ opinions working in the domain through primary research to fill the data gaps and validate our secondary research on disease prevalence. 

DelveInsight’s analysts connected with 10+ KOLs to gather insights; however, interviews were conducted with 5+ KOLs in the 7MM. Centers such as the American Social Health Association, US; Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, US; Institute for Medical Virology, Germany; Centre Médicale de l'Institut Pasteur, France; University of Genova, Italy; University of Barcelona, Spain; Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; and others were contacted. Their opinion helps understand and validate current disease prevalence, gender involved with the disease, diagnosis rate, and diagnostic criteria.

Scope of the Report

• The report covers a segment of key events, an executive summary, and a descriptive overview of Follicular lymphoma, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis, and currently available therapies.
• Comprehensive insight into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, and disease progression have been provided.
• A detailed review of current challenges in establishing diagnosis and diagnosis rate is provided.

Follicular lymphoma Report Insights

• Patient Population
• Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution

Follicular lymphoma Report Key Strengths

• Ten-year Forecast
• The 7MM Coverage 
• Follicular lymphoma Epidemiology Segmentation

Follicular lymphoma Report Assessment

• Epidemiology Segmentation
• Current Diagnostic Practices

FAQs

Epidemiology Insights

• What are the disease risks, burdens, and unmet needs of Follicular lymphoma? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM with respect to the patient population pertaining to Follicular lymphoma?
• What is the historical and forecasted Follicular lymphoma patient pool in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan?
• What is the diagnostic pattern of Follicular lymphoma?
• Which clinical factors will affect Follicular lymphoma?
• Which factors will affect the increase in the diagnosis of Follicular lymphoma?

Reasons to buy

• Insights on disease burden, details regarding diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To understand the change in Follicular lymphoma cases in varying geographies over the coming years.
• A detailed overview of total prevalent cases of Follicular lymphoma, diagnosed prevalent cases of Follicular lymphoma, gender specific cases of Follicular lymphoma, age specific cases of Follicular lymphoma is included.
• To understand the perspective of key opinion leaders around the current challenges with establishing the diagnosis and insights on the treatment-eligible patient pool.
• Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.