Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - Risk Factors

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Highlights	Prognosis	Transplantation
Introduction	Treatment	Resources
Risk Factors	Chemotherapy	References
Symptoms	Biologic Therapy (Immunotherapy)	References
Diagnosis	Radiation

Autoimmune Disorders

Patients with a history of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Crohn's disease, and Sjogren syndrome, are at an increased risk for certain NHLs, such as marginal zone lymphomas.

Chemical Exposure

Overexposure to a number of industrial and agricultural chemicals (such as pesticides, herbicides, and petrochemicals) has been linked to an increased risk for lymphomas. The data, however, are not consistent.

Researchers are also investigating whether some chemotherapy drugs may increase the risk for later developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At this point, it is not clear whether it is these drugs or the other cancers themselves that increase risk. Other types of drugs, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors that are used to treat autoimmune disorders, are also being studied as possible risk factors for lymphomas.

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Radiation Exposure

People who have had radiation treatment for cancer, such as Hodgkin’s disease, appear to have an increased risk for later developing non-Hodgkin’s disease. The risk may be higher for patients treated with both chemotherapy and radiation.

Survivors of nuclear reactor disasters have an increased risk of developing NHL, as well as other types of cancers.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle does not seem to be a major risk factor for NHL. Some studies have suggested that obesity may increase risk, but this association is not definite. Other studies have investigated the role of diet. Although some research has indicated an increased risk for diets high in consumption of red meat and lower risk for diets high in vegetables, the association remains speculative. There is no evidence that smoking increases the risk for NHL itself, although it has been linked with high-grade and follicular NHLs in people with lymphoma.

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Review Date: 01/27/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).