# Spontaneous Metabolic Regression in High‐Burden Follicular Lymphoma: A Case Report

**Authors:** Yotam Bronstein, Roy Vitkon, Lucille Hayman, Chava Perry

PMC · DOI: 10.1155/crh/7545774 · 2026-03-06

## TL;DR

A 64-year-old man with high-burden follicular lymphoma experienced a significant spontaneous metabolic regression without treatment over six months.

## Contribution

This case report documents a rare instance of spontaneous metabolic regression in high-burden follicular lymphoma.

## Key findings

- The patient showed marked metabolic response in nodal, splenic, and serosal areas on [18F]FDG PET/CT.
- Symptoms resolved and laboratory parameters improved without therapy over six months.
- The case underscores the biological variability and potential for spontaneous regression in follicular lymphoma.

## Abstract

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent but incurable B‐cell malignancy, typically requiring therapy in patients with high tumor burden. Although spontaneous regression has been described, its frequency and durability are uncertain and require longitudinal follow‐up. We report a 64‐year‐old man with high‐burden FL fulfilling GELF criteria who deferred treatment and subsequently demonstrated a marked spontaneous metabolic response on a follow‐up [18F]FDG PET/CT over a 6‐month follow‐up period. The metabolic response encompassed nodal, splenic, and serosal involvement, accompanied by resolution of symptoms and improvement in laboratory parameters. This case highlights the biological heterogeneity of FL and emphasizes the importance of individualized management and ongoing surveillance.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** [18F]FDG (PubChem CID 68614)
- **Diseases:** follicular lymphoma (MONDO:0018906)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CD5 (CD5 molecule) [NCBI Gene 921] {aka LEU1, T1}, CD22 (CD22 molecule) [NCBI Gene 933] {aka SIGLEC-2, SIGLEC2}, FCER2 (Fc epsilon receptor II) [NCBI Gene 2208] {aka BLAST-2, CD23, CD23A, CLEC4J, FCE2, FCErII}, CD19 (CD19 molecule) [NCBI Gene 930] {aka B4, CVID3}, CD79B (CD79b molecule) [NCBI Gene 974] {aka AGM6, B29, IGB, Igbeta}, BCL6 (BCL6 transcription repressor) [NCBI Gene 604] {aka BCL5, BCL6A, LAZ3, ZBTB27, ZNF51}, BCL2 (BCL2 apoptosis regulator) [NCBI Gene 596] {aka Bcl-2, PPP1R50}, MME (membrane metalloendopeptidase) [NCBI Gene 4311] {aka CALLA, CD10, CMT2T, NEP, SCA43, SFE}, CD200 (CD200 molecule) [NCBI Gene 4345] {aka MOX1, MOX2, MRC, OX-2}, KRT20 (keratin 20) [NCBI Gene 54474] {aka CD20, CK-20, CK20, K20, KRT21}
- **Diseases:** HIV (MESH:D015658), lymphocytosis (MESH:D008218), GELF (MESH:C538319), mediastinal disease (MESH:D008477), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (MESH:D008228), lymphoma (MESH:D008223), bacterial infections (MESH:D001424), abdominal distension (MESH:D000007), B-cell malignancy (MESH:D016393), weight loss (MESH:D015431), marginal zone lymphoma (MESH:D018442), infection (MESH:D007239), effusions (MESH:D000080324), hypertension (MESH:D006973), cytopenias (MESH:D006402), hepatomegaly (MESH:D006529), viral infections (MESH:D014777), FL (MESH:D008224), ascites (MESH:D001201), nodal masses (MESH:C536030), febrile illness (MESH:D005334), weight gain (MESH:D015430), pleural effusion (MESH:D010996), lymphadenopathy (MESH:D008206), splenomegaly (MESH:D013163), CMV (MESH:D003586), prediabetes (MESH:D011236), hepatitis B/C (MESH:D006509), hepatosplenomegaly (MESH:C535727), tumor (MESH:D009369), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (MESH:D015451), inflammatory (MESH:D007249), trauma (MESH:D014947)
- **Chemicals:** creatinine (MESH:D003404), alcohol (MESH:D000438), FDG (MESH:D019788), Hematoxylin &amp; eosin (-), H&amp;E (MESH:D006371), metformin (MESH:D008687), bilirubin (MESH:D001663), carvedilol (MESH:D000077261)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12966620/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12966620