Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers that originate in the lymph system. The two primary types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma, which spreads in an orderly manner from one group of lymph nodes to another; and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which spreads through the lymphatic system in a non-orderly manner.

Risk Factors

The main causes of lymphoma are unknown. However, research has shown that people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at much higher risk of developing lymphoma.* Other viral agents, such as human T-cell lymphotrophic virus and Epstein Barr virus, also have been linked with certain types of lymphoma.* Finally, some studies suggest that specific ingredients in herbicides and pesticides may be associated with lymphoma occurrence, but scientists have not defined the amount of such exposures required to increase the risk of developing lymphoma.¹

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Statistics

In 2008 (the most recent year numbers are available)—

• 69,044 people in the United States were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including 37,165 men and 31,879 women.*†
• 21,539 people in the United States died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including 11,642 men and 9,897 women.*†

*Incidence and death counts cover approximately 100% of the U.S. population.

†Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2008 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2012. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs. (full site)

Reference

¹The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Lymphoma.