Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma refers to a lymphatic system cancer that occurs when there are tumors in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells. This variety is more common than Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The key difference between the two is the existence of an abnormal cell, the Reed-Sternberg cell, which can only be found only in cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

You will find that many people affected by this condition faced no obvious risk factors. At the same time, one may be exposed to multiple risk factors and still not develop the condition. One of the most common risk factors for this disease is old age, as the diagnosis is usually in people above 60 years. The use of immunosuppressant medicines can trigger it, as can infections like HIV or Helicobacter pylori. Exposure to chemicals like insect killers and weed killers may also be responsible for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The main causes and risk factors of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are:

1. Low immunity
A weakened immune system is one of the key causes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The immune system tends to become weakened by all the immunosuppressants given after an organ transplant surgery. It can also be compromised due to the HIV/AIDS virus. When you already have an autoimmune disease, your own immune system will invade healthy tissues and organs. Diseases like hemolytic anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, and celiac disease may thus be responsible for the condition.

2. Chemical exposure
Long-term exposure to certain chemicals can be considered as one of the causes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is proved by the fact that rates of affected individuals have gone up remarkably between 1960-1990. One possible cause for this to happen is the increased use of pesticides, but evidence on this is still not fool-proof. A study involving the survivors of nuclear reactor accidents and atomic bombs has shown that people exposed to radiation have more chances of developing a malignancy.

3. Certain cancer treatments
Treatments undertaken for treating some other cancer may be responsible for triggering the disease. The chemotherapy or radiation treatments administered to such patients often makes them more vulnerable to developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma later in their lives.

4. Age
Research has also shown that the chances are increased in the elderly, and it is more common in men than women.

5. Infections
Infections have often been thought to be one of the causes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Many viruses and bacteria are linked to higher chances of developing it. But, the disease is not infectious on its own. A very common bacterial infection that is known as Helicobacter Pylori triggers a rather rare variety of lymphoma originating in the stomach called MALT lymphoma. Individuals having the hepatitis C virus may be at risk of getting non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but the numbers are very small.

6. Family history
A family history of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be a possible cause for getting this disease, although chances are feeble.

All the different varieties of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are malignancies of white blood cells called lymphocytes, and they can be diverse in their prognosis and course of treatment. They are also different from one another in terms of risk factors and causes. Now, the genetics behind specific non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma types are being researched actively, and links have been discovered between it and certain infections or responses by the body’s immune system.