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A variety of risk factors have been identified for the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), however, as mentioned previously, most patients have no known risk factors. The risk factors for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be grouped as follows:

• Autoimmune Disorders - Patients with certain autoimmune disorders, where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, are at higher risk for developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Examples include:

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Hashimoto's thyroiditis
  • Sjogren's syndrome

• HIV Infection - Patients who are infected with the HIV virus, the virus that is thought to be the cause of AIDS, are at higher risk for developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

• Immunosuppressive Drug Therapy - Patients receiving organ transplants who require treatment with drugs that suppress the immune system are at higher risk for developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

• Infectious Disease Agents - Infection with certain microorganisms is thought to play a role in the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Examples include:

  • Helicobacter pylori - a bacterium that has been linked to primary gastric (stomach) lymphoma.
  • Epstein-Barr virus - a virus that has been linked to a specific subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma called Burkitt's lymphoma.
  • HTLV-1 - this virus has been implicated in patients with T-cell lymphoma and leukemia.
  • HIV - the virus that is believed to be the cause of AIDS.

• Chemical Exposure - Exposure to certain chemicals is thought to increase the risk for developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Examples include:

  • Benzene
  • Formaldehyde
  • Paint thinners
  • Styrene
  • Lead
  • Herbicides and pesticides

• Older Age - The risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma increases with age with about 95% of cases occurring in patients between the ages of 40 to 70.

• Male Gender - The risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is higher among men than women with a ratio of about 1.4 to 1.0.

• Race - Epidemiological studies have found that non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is more common in whites than in African Americans or Asians.