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CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > Introduction to Cancer by Type > Lymphoma: Introduction > Lymphoma: Risk Factors

Lymphoma: Risk Factors

The cause of the majority of lymphoma cases is unknown. However, several factors may influence one's risk of developing lymphoma. The relative effects of these factors in any given case of cancer is variable and very difficult to determine with accuracy at this time. Some of these risk factors are discussed below.

Sex
Specific subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, such as follicular lymphoma, are predominant in women; however, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is overall more common in men. Mantle cell lymphoma shows the highest predisposition in males (70% of cases are men).⁽¹⁾

Geography
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is most common in developed regions of the world, specifically the United Sates, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.⁽¹⁾ Epstein Barr virus (EBV), a type of herpes virus that infects B lymphocytes, increases a person's risk of developing fast growing lymphomas. In Africa and Southeast Asia, EBV is related to the development of Burkitt lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma.⁽²⁾

Genetics
As discussed in the Mutation section DNA mutations can cause cancer by enhancing cell division and/or reducing tumor suppressor mechanisms. Lymphoma is rarely caused by inherited mutations in the DNA sequence and there is no increased risk of lymphoma in children of lymphoma patients.⁽²⁾

Age
The incidence of lymphoma peaks in individuals over 70 years of age.⁽³⁾ Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is rarely observed in children and most commonly develops in older adults. Less than 1% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnoses reported in 2001 occurred in children under the age of 15 years.⁽³⁾ The age groups most frequently affected by Hodgkin's lymphoma are early adults (age 15-40) and late adults (above 55).⁽²⁾

Learn more about the relationship between cancer and age

Medical History
One's medical history may influence their susceptibility to the development of lymphoma.⁽⁴⁾ Individuals with autoimmune diseases are at an increased risk of developing lymphoma. Examples of diseases associated with risk of lymphoma development include: Diabetes type 1 and Rheumatoid Arthritis. ⁽⁵⁾ Immunosuppressive therapies used to encourage acceptance of transplanted organs may also increase risk of lymphoma.⁽³⁾

Infection with certain viruses and bacteria are associated with increased risk for lymphoma. These include:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): this viruse is the causative agent of AIDS.
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): infection with EBV is associated with increased risk of lymphoma. In certain geographic regions, including Africa, infection with EBV is associated with Burkitt's lymphomaa.
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV): The role of HCV in lymphoma risk is unclear.
• Human T-celll leukemia virus type 1(HTLV-1): This virus is associated with both lymphomas and leukemias.
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): This bacteria infects the stomach and is thought to cause ulcers. Infection is also associated with an increased risk of lymphomas of the stomach.⁽⁶⁾⁽³⁾

References for this page:

1. Ekstrom-Smedby K. "Epidemiology and etiology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma--a review." Acta Oncol. (2006);45(3):258-71 [PUBMED]
2. Learn About Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's type. American Cancer Society. Accessed October 2010. [http://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-hodgkinlymphoma/index]
3. Grulich AE, Vajdic CM. "The epidemiology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma." Pathology (2005 Dec);37(6):409-19. [PUBMED]
4. Landgren O, Bjorkholm M, Montgomery SM, Hjalgrim H, Sjoberg J, Goldin LR, Askling J. "Personal and family history of autoimmune diabetes mellitus and susceptibility to young-adult-onset Hodgkin lymphoma." Int J Cancer (2006 Jan 15);118(2):229-52 [PUBMED]
5. Landgren O, Engels EA, Pfeiffer RM, Gridley G, Mellemkjaer L, Olsen JH, Kerstann KF, Wheeler W, Hemminki K, Linet MS, Goldin LR. "Autoimmunity and susceptibility to Hodgkin lymphoma: a population-based case-control study in Scandinavia." J Natl Cancer Inst (2006 Sep 20);98(18):1321-30. [PUBMED]
6. National Cancer Instite Website. "What you need to know about Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma." Accessed 2 June 2010. [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/non-hodgkins-lymphoma/page4]