The Challenges of Epidemiologic Research in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Classification of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Central and South America: a review of 1028 cases

“…The incidence of NHL is increasing worldwide and, although this increase began to slow in the 1990s, significant variations in temporal trends have been noted for individual NHL subtypes. 2,3 Epidemiologic studies of risk factors for NHL have contributed significantly to our understanding of the pathogenesis of these neoplasms. [2][3][4][5] In numerous epidemiologic studies investigators also have analyzed the distribution of NHL subtypes in North America (NA), Europe, the Far East, and Middle East.…”

“…Furthermore, it has become clear that subtype-specific NHL frequency patterns in different geographic regions may be indicative of environmental or host risk factors in a particular region. [2][3][4]7 Moreover, comparison of the incidence rates and frequency patterns of specific NHL subtypes may provide critical clues to guide future epidemiologic studies. 3 Although studies of individual NHL subtypes have been conducted in several Central and South American (CSA) countries, [13][14][15][16] in only a few epidemiologic studies have authors examined the distribution of NHL subtypes in individual countries.…”

“…2,3 Epidemiologic studies of risk factors for NHL have contributed significantly to our understanding of the pathogenesis of these neoplasms. [2][3][4][5] In numerous epidemiologic studies investigators also have analyzed the distribution of NHL subtypes in North America (NA), Europe, the Far East, and Middle East. 3,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] These studies have shown substantial differences in the relative frequencies of NHL subtypes in different geographic regions.…”

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.…”

Dietary intake of fruit and vegetables and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

“…One possible explanation for the inconsistency across these studies is the fact that NHL consists of a heterogeneous group of malignancies that vary in etiology [14,15], and the distribution of various histologic subtypes may be different across these studies. Recent epidemiologic studies of NHL [3, 5-7, 11, 16-18] have attempted to address the issue of etiologic heterogeneity by investigating the association by histologic subtypes, but the results are still not entirely consistent.…”