Epidemiology and etiology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma – a review

Abstract

The etiology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as its global dramatic rise in incidence during the past decades, remains largely unexplained. However, there is increasing awareness that this group of malignancies may entail not only clinical, morphological and molecular heterogeneity, but also considerable variations in terms of etiologic factors. In this review, epidemiologic patterns are summarized as well as current evidence of associations between various known or suspected risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma overall or for any of its subtypes. Central pathogenetic mechanisms include immunosuppression, especially in relation to T-cell function and loss of control of latent EBV infection, and chronic antigen stimulation. Some degree of familiar aggregation also implies a role for genetic susceptibility. A number of recent investigations of non-Hodgkin lymphoma etiology will hopefully lead to a better understanding of the causes of these malignancies.

Prediagnostic circulating carotenoid levels and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: the Multiethnic Cohort

“…2,3 Immune dysfunction is thought to be the underlying basis of lymphoma development, but well-characterized immunosuppressive states (HIV infection and organ transplants) only partially explain the rising NHL risk over the past decades. 4 Based on the hypothesis that lymphoid tissues are vulnerable to nutrient imbalances affecting metabolic pathways and functions necessary to maintain immune functions, 5,6 the association between dietary factors and the risk of NHL has been examined. 7,8 Reports from retrospective case-control studies [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] and prospective cohorts [19][20][21] have found inverse associations between fruit intake, vegetable intake, or both and NHL, although null findings also have been reported.…”

Dietary patterns and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

“…NHL is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the USA (1) , with immune dysregulation thought to contribute to lymphoma development (2,3) . However, well-characterized immunodeficiency states only partially account for the rising rates of this disease in recent decades (3,4) .…”

“…NHL is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the USA (1) , with immune dysregulation thought to contribute to lymphoma development (2,3) . However, well-characterized immunodeficiency states only partially account for the rising rates of this disease in recent decades (3,4) . Dietary factors have been examined in relation to the development of NHL given their role in immune system regulation, oxidative stress and hormonal pathways regulating the proliferation of lymphoid tissue (5) .…”

Thalidomide plus chemotherapy exhibit enhanced efficacy in the clinical treatment of T-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: A prospective study of 46 cases

“…The incidence rate of T-NHL has been increasing worldwide over the last few years (1). In particular, the incidence rate of T-NHL in Asia was found to be higher compared to that in the United States and Europe (2)(3)(4). Chemotherapy or combined radiotherapy are currently the main treatment options for NHL.…”