Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer that begins in the lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that fight infection. The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). NHL is the 10th most common cancer worldwide, and there were 553,389 new diagnoses in 2022.1 It’s estimated that 80,350 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed in 2025.2 There are many types of NHL, which are classified based on the type of the lymphocyte (B-cell, T-cell, etc.) the lymphoma begins in, how fast they grow or spread, how it looks under a microscope, chromosome features, and the presence of certain proteins on the cancer cells.3
A few risk factors for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) include4:
- Age: Risk of NHL increases with age and most diagnoses are in people >60.
- Sex: NHL occurs more often in men than women, but there are certain types of NHL that are more common in women.
- Race and Ethnicity: In the U.S., White people are more likely to develop NHL than Black people or Asian Americans.
- Family History: A first-degree relative with NHL, increases your risk.
- Certain Infections: Infections with human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) or HIV can increase your risk. In addition, infections that cause chronic immune stimulation such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), Helicobacter pylori, Chlamydophila psittaci, and Campylobacter jejuni can also increase your risk.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren disease, and celiac disease are linked with an increased risk of NHL.
- Toxins: Exposure to chemicals, such as benzene and certain herbicides/ insecticides, drugs, or radiation, may increase risk for NHL.
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