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Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Topic Overview
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Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When To Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Home Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- References
- Credits
No one knows exactly what increases your risk of getting non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Experts do agree that the disease is not caused by injury and is not contagious. The following risk factors may increase your chances of having the disease. But most people with these risk factors do not ever have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. And many people who have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma do not have any of these risk factors.1
- Being male. NHL is more common in men than in women.
- Age. The likelihood of getting NHL increases as you get older.
- Impaired immune system. NHL is most common among those who have an impaired immune system, an autoimmune disease, or HIV or AIDS. It also occurs among those who take immunosuppressant medicines, such as medicines following an organ transplant.
- Viral infection. A viral infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus, increases the risk of developing NHL.
- Bacterial infection. Infection with Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of lymphoma involving the stomach.
- Environmental exposure. Exposure to agricultural pesticides or fertilizers, solvents, and other chemicals may increase the risk of developing NHL.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 28, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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