While many cases of lymphomas don’t have a known cause, some conditions or characteristics increase the risk of developing these diseases.
But remember that not everyone with one of these risk factors will develop lymphoma, and not everyone who develops lymphoma will have any of these risk factors.
- Conditions that weaken the immune system. Such conditions increase the risk for lymphomas. These conditions include:
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, HIV and AIDS, and Sjogren syndrome.
- Inherited immune disorders such as hypogammaglobulinemia or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
- Past infection with Epstein-Barr virus and infections caused by this virus, such as mononucleosis
- A prior organ transplant, which involves taking drugs that suppress the immune system
- Age, race, and gender. Being middle-aged or older, white, or male are risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Exposure to pesticides. Coming into contact with certain pesticides increases the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Diet. Eating a lot of meat and fat is a risk factor for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- A family history of lymphomas. If you have a sibling or parent with one of these diseases, you are more likely to get them yourself.
- Past treatment for another cancer. Treatments for other cancers may increase risk for a blood-related cancer.
Learn more about lymphoma:
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