Background: Follicular lymphoma is an indolent B Non Hodgkin lymphoma which has a characteristic follicular growth pattern and immunohistochemical expression. The neoplastic cells express CD20, CD10, and BCL2 and are negative for CD5, CD23 and Cyclin D1. CD5 is a useful marker in the differentiation of various B cell lymphomas. Small cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma express CD5. Some of the follicular lymphomas express CD5 which results in diagnostic confusion Methods: 52 cases of lymphoma were diagnosed over a period of 2 years in a tertiary care centre in south India. Among these, 9 cases were diagnosed as follicular lymphoma based on the morphological and immunohistochemical study. A panel of antibodies was chosen based on the morphological diagnosis. The panel used for small cell lymphomas include CD20, CD3, CD5 CD23, Cyclin D1, CD10, BCL2 and Ki67. Result:Of the nine cases of follicular lymphoma, three were CD5 positive. Two showed bone marrow involvement. There was no significant morphological difference between CD5 positive and CD5 negative follicular lymphoma. Conclusion:The expression of CD5 by follicular lymphomas could be problematic when the follicular lymphoma as such lacks its characteristic follicular pattern andwhen there are no molecular studies available. Even though rare, follicular lymphoma is to be considered in the differential diagnosis of CD5 positive lymphomas.