Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, also known as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is a kind of cancer caused by the uncontrolled growth of immune cells called lymphocytes. Normally, lymphocytes growth or death depends on a complicated system of genetic regulation. When a person has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, this regulation of the lymphocytes breaks down, and the cells grow out of control, causing cancer. Doctors still do not fully know the causes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, although several risk factors have been established.
Immune Susceptibility
If the immune system becomes comprised, either due to disease or medications, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is more likely to occur, reports the Penn State College of Medicine. People with HIV/AIDS, which destroys the immune system, are at a much greater risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma than healthy people. Similarly, several different types of inherited immune deficiency conditions, as well as acquired autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, have been linked to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In addition patients are often required to take immunosuppressive drugs after organ transplant surgery, and these drugs can also weaken the immune system and increase the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Genetic Factors
In some cases, people may inherit genes from their parents that are more likely to break down and cause cancer. Within the human population, different versions exist of the many genes that regulate the life cycle of lymphocytes. Some of these versions are more likely to cause the genes to malfunction. When a person inherits a gene like this, he may be at a greater risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, explains Cancer Research UK.
Viral and Bacterial Infection
In addition to the HIV virus, which destroys the immune system, other virus also increase the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. For example, the human T-cell leukemia/lymphoma virus, often abbreviated HTLV-1, has been linked to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the University of Chicago Medical Center reports. The Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis, and Hepatitis C virus, which causes hepatitis, are also known risk factors. In addition, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which causes recurrent heart burn and stomach ulcers, also may lead to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Environmental Causes
Carcinogens are substances in the environment that damage genes. Exposure to carcinogens increases the likelihood that the genes regulating the growth of lymphocytes will break down and result in cancer. Herbicides used to kill weeds and the chemical solvent benzene are two specific carcinogens that have been linked to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to the University of Chicago Medical Center. In addition, exposure to radiation has been shown to increase the risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
