Lymphoma (patient information)
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| Lymphoma (patient information) | |
| ICD-10 | C81-C96 |
|---|---|
| ICD-O: | 9590-9999 |
| MeSH | D008223 |
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Lymphoma |
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Lymphoma On the Web |
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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.D.
Overview
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in lymphocytes. There are many classifications for lymphoma. In common classification, there are two kinds of lymphoma: Hodgkin's disease and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin's disease is also called Hodgkin's lymphoma.
What are the symptoms of Lymphoma?
- Soaking night sweats
- Swollen, painless lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
- Coughing, trouble breathing or chest pain
- Weakness and tiredness that don't go away
- Pain, swelling or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen
What causes Lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas begin when a type of white blood cell, called a T cell or B cell, becomes abnormal. The cell divides again and again, making more abnormal cells. These abnormal cells can spread to almost any other part of the body. Most of the time, doctors can't determine why a person gets non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Who is at highest risk?
- Risk factor is anything that changes your chance of getting a disease like cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors.
- Some risk factors are modifiable and some are non modifiable.
- Having the risk factor doesn't always mean that you will get the disease but it certainly increases your chances as compared to general population.
Risk factors for lymphoma are as under:
Non-Modifiable
Age
- Getting older is a strong risk factor for lymphoma overall, with most cases occurring in people in their 60s or older . But some types of lymphoma are more common in younger people.
Gender
- Overall, the risk of NHL is higher in men than in women , but there are certain types of NHL that are more common in women. The reasons for this are not known.
Race, Ethinicity and Geography
- In the United States, whites are more likely than African Americans and Asian Americans to develop NHL.
- Worldwide, NHL is more common in developed countries, with the United States and Europe having some of the highest rates. Some types of lymphoma are linked to certain infections (described further on) that are more common in some parts of the world.
Family history
- Having a first degree relative (parent, child, sibling) with NHL increases your risk of developing NHL.
Modifiable
Exposure to certain chemicals
- Some studies have suggested that chemicals such as benzene and certain herbicides and insecticides (weed- and insect-killing substances) may be linked to an increased risk of NHL. Research to clarify these possible links is still in progress.
- Some chemotherapy drugs used to treat other cancers may increase the risk of developing NHL many years later. For example, patients who have been treated for Hodgkin lymphoma have an increased risk of later developing NHL. But it’s not totally clear if this is related to the disease itself or if it is an effect of the treatment.
- Some studies have suggested that certain drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), such as methotrexate and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, might increase the risk of NHL. But other studies have not found an increased risk. Determining if these drugs increase risk is complicated by the fact that people with RA, which is an autoimmune disease, already have a higher risk of NHL (see below).
Radiation exposure
- Studies of survivors of atomic bombs and nuclear reactor accidents have shown they have an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, including NHL, leukemia,and thyroid cancer.
- Patients treated with radiation therapy for some other cancers, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, have a slightly increased risk of developing NHL later in life.
- This risk is greater for patients treated with both radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Autoimmmune diseases
- Some autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), Sjogren (Sjögren) disease, celiac disease (gluten-sensitive enteropathy), and others have been linked with an increased risk of NHL.
Certain infections
- Epstein-barr virus (EBV)
- Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8)
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Helicobacter pylori
- Chlamydophila psittaci
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Hepatitis C
Body Weight and Diet
- Some studies have suggested that being overweight or obese may increase your risk of NHL. Other studies have suggested that a diet high in fat and meats may raise your risk. More research is needed to confirm these findings. In any event, staying at a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet have many known health benefits outside of the possible effect on lymphoma risk.
Breast implants
- It is rare, but some women with breast implants develop a type of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) in their breast. This seems to be more likely with implants that have textured (rough) surfaces (as opposed to smooth surfaces).
Source
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Lymphoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Lymphoma