title: A Canadian evidence-based guideline for the first-line treatment of follicular lymphoma: joint consensus of the Lymphoma Canada Scientific Advisory Board.
abstract: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in North America. Because of the heterogeneity of the disease, treatment options vary from observation to aggressive therapies or stem cell transplantation, or both. Although advances in treatment have improved outcomes, the disease remains largely incurable. In Canada, no unified national guideline exists for the front-line treatment of FL; provincial guidelines vary and are largely based on funding. There is therefore a need for evidence-based national treatment guidelines that are supported by Canadian hematologists to ensure that patients with FL have equitable access to the best available care. A group of experts from across Canada developed a national evidence-based treatment guideline to provide health care professionals with clear guidance on the first-line management of FL. Results of a systematic review of the literature are presented with consensus recommendations based on available evidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Toronto and Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuruvilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, McGill University and Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Assouline
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Toronto and Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hodgson
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Dalhousie University and Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: Departments of Oncology and Medicine, University of Calgary and Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Doug
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: New Evidence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christofides
authors.affiliation: New Evidence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Komolova
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, University of British Columbia and BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: JConnors@bccancer.bc.ca.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Connors
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D032921:Consensus; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
keywords: Canadian; Follicular lymphoma; Guidelines; Hematology; Indolent lymphoma; Lymphoma