Definite risk factors for non Hodgkin's lymphoma
This page is about the definite risk factors for non Hodgkin's lymphoma. There is information below on
Definite risk factors for non Hodgkin’s lymphoma
In the UK, non Hodgkin's lymphoma is the 5th most common type of cancer in adults. The majority of people who get non Hodgkin's lymphoma do not have any of the known risk factors. Doctors just don't know why most people get this disease.
Having a weakened immune system
Anyone whose immune system is not working as well as it should may be more likely to develop a lymphoma. This includes people taking drugs to stop organ rejection after a transplant, and people who have AIDS or autoimmune diseases.
Past cancer treatment
Some chemotherapy drugs can increase your risk of developing NHL, 10 to 15 years after treatment. Having had radiotherapy in the past also increases your risk.
Other risks
Infection with some viruses and bacteria can increase the risk of developing NHL. People with coeliac disease have an increased risk of some types of NHL. If you have a parent, brother or sister diagnosed with NHL, you have about 2 to 3 times the average risk. But remember that the general risk of NHL is small so 2 or 3 times the risk is also a small risk. If you've had a melanoma, you have an increased risk of NHL and vice versa. We don't know why this is.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the About NHL section.
In the UK, about 10,600 cases of non Hodgkin's lymphoma are diagnosed each year. This makes it the 5th most common type of cancer in adults (not counting non melanoma skin cancer). Out of every 100 cancers diagnosed, 4 are NHL (4%).
Doctors don't know the cause in most people who get non Hodgkin's lymphoma. Research is going on all the time to try to find out what causes it. There are some possible risk factors on the next page in this section.
Like all cancers, non Hodgkin's lymphoma is not infectious. You cannot catch it from someone who has it.
Anyone whose immune system is not working as well as it should is more likely to develop a lymphoma. This includes people who
- Are taking drugs to stop organ rejection after a transplant
- Have HIV or AIDS
- Are born with rare medical syndromes which affect their immunity
- Have autoimmune disease
Auto immune disease includes rheumatoid arthritis, haemolytic anaemia, coeliac disease, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and the skin condition psoriasis.
Past cancer treatment can affect your risk of non Hodgkin's lymphoma. Some chemotherapy drugs can increase your risk of developing NHL 10 to 15 years after treatment. Having had radiotherapy in the past also increases your risk of getting NHL. People who have had radiotherapy for breast cancer or Hodgkin's disease have an increased risk of NHL in the area that was treated. But these are very small increases in risk, compared to the risk of not having the treatment for the original cancer.
Infection with a virus called 'human T cell lymphoma virus 1' (HTLV1) can increase the risk of developing NHL. This is most common in Japan and the Caribbean. Another virus called 'Epstein Barr virus' is linked to an increased incidence of a type of NHL that is more common in Africa than Europe. It is called Burkitt's lymphoma. In Europe and the UK, another common bacterial infection can cause a particular type of lymphoma that starts in the stomach. The bacteria is called 'Helicobacter pylori'. It can cause a lymphoma called MALT lymphoma. MALT stands for 'mucosa associated lymphoid tissue'. This means that the lymphoma starts in lymphatic tissue which is outside the main lymphatic system. In this case, in the lining of the stomach.
An overview of the published evidence up to 2006 found that people with hepatitis C virus infection have two or three times the normal risk of NHL. Some studies have also shown a possible link between hepatitis B and NHL.
One recent study looking at people in England who were in hospital for glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) found they had almost six times the normal risk of NHL.
Coeliac disease is a disease of the small bowel. It affects about 1 in every 250 people. People with coeliac disease have an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in rye, wheat and barley. This reaction causes inflammation of the small bowel. For some time, coeliac disease has been a known risk factor for a rare type of lymphoma of the small bowel, called 'enteropathy type T cell lymphoma' (ETTL). More recently, research has shown an increased risk of B cell non Hodgkin’s lymphomas too. The risk seems to be higher in people with poorly managed coeliac disease, and this is supported by research showing that the risk of NHL in people with a diagnosis of coeliac disease has reduced over recent decades. Sticking to a gluten free diet may help reduce your risk if you have coeliac disease. There is more information about the risk of NHL in people with coeliac disease in the questions and answers section. A recent study also suggests that people who have a brother or sister with coeliac disease may also have an increased risk of NHL.
If you have a parent, brother or sister diagnosed with NHL, you have a slightly increased risk of getting it yourself. It's about 2 to 3 times the average risk. If this seems high, do remember that the general risk of NHL is small. And most people who get NHL don't have a relative who has had it, so it isn't a major risk factor.
If you've had a melanoma, you have double the usual risk of NHL. (People who have had NHL also have an increased risk of melanoma). There is some evidence that after a non melanoma skin cancer your risk of NHL is 2 or 3 times higher than in the general population. We don't know why this is. It may be because there are risk factors in common between the two cancers, such as weakened immunity. It may even be because the other condition is more likely to be picked up because you have a cancer doctor keeping a close eye on you.
Increase text
Decrease text
Print this page
