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What Causes Lymphoma?This is the toughest question to answer on this site. The causes of lymphoma are not well known. Some lymphomas seem to have a genetic predisposition but this has NOT been pinpointed. Some researchers suggest that a genetic factor in combination with an "environmental trigger" such as pollution may start lymphoma but again no real proof. Studies performed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the early 1990s found that hair-dye use--especially use of dark-color |
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| products over a long period of time--and occupational exposure to dyes were linked to certain types of cancer, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Researchers admit, however, that these studies weren't mainly designed to investigate hair-coloring products, so it was impossible to prove a direct connection. | |||
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Later research in 1998 found dyes do not cause NHL. The latest research in January 2004 does show a link to long term hair dye and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It has been shown that some Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the digestive tract (MALT lymphomas) may be caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. There is also a link with Epstein-Barr virus and gene relocation in some forms of Burkitt's Lymphoma. With the Human Genome project, more is now known about lymphoma and genetics. Many lymphoma samples show alterations in genes. Burkitt's Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Lymphoma show various genetic links for example. A new study in 2005 determined that people who have a family history of blood cancers have double the risk of developing either Hodgkin's or Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Agent Orange, the chemical used in the Vietnam War, has been linked to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.Research is also leading to links between weakened immune systems and cancers including lymphoma. The link above to infections (viral or bacterial) along with genetics would support this conclusion. Cases of lymphoma in AIDS patients further supports this scenario (but most people with lymphoma do NOT have HIV or AIDS). 15% of patients with celiac disease may develop lymphoma. There are twenty to thirty forms of lymphoma, many that are non-similar (Hodgkin's vs. Non-Hodgkin's, B-Cell vs. T-cell, etc.) It is highly likely there will be causes found in the future - it will not be pinpointed to one thing but probably quite a number of reasons. Advances in genetics will most likely be the key. To continue your quest for lymphoma information please see the Prognosis Page, Main Lymphoma Page or use the navigation buttons above. Recommended Books, In-Depth Living With Lymphoma by Elizabeth Adler, Ph.D., Oct. 2005
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