Causes of lymph cancer (lymphoma) and various risk factors

Lymph cancer or lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer. The American Society of Hematology says, about half of blood cancer cases that occur each year are lymphoma. However, do you know what causes this disease? The following is an explanation of the causes and risk factors for lymphoma or lymphoma that you need to know.

What causes lymphoma or lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a blood cancer that develops in white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are scattered in the lymphatic system and play a role in fighting infections in the body. The lymphatic system is present throughout the human body consisting of lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus gland.

The cause of lymphoma or lymphoma is a mutation or genetic change in lymphocyte cells. This mutation causes lymphocyte cells to develop abnormally and uncontrollably.

These abnormal cells will continue to live and multiply, while other normal cells will die at a certain time and are replaced with new normal cells.

Thus, in the lymphatic system there will be a buildup of abnormal lymphocytes (cancer cells), which can cause swelling of the lymph nodes or cause other symptoms of lymphoma. These cancer cells can spread to other lymphatic systems or even to other organs of the body.

In fact, until now it is not known what the exact cause of the genetic mutation in the lymphoma is. These genetic changes may occur by chance or due to certain risk factors that cause them.

What are the factors that increase the risk of lymph node cancer?

Experts believe there are several factors that may develop lymphoma. Each type of lymphoma, be it Hodgkin's lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, may have different risk factors.

However, reported from Lymphoma Action, the main risk factor for lymphoma is a problem with the immune system. The following factors are said to increase the risk and can cause a person to develop lymphoma or lymph node cancer:

1. Increasing age

Lymphoma can happen to anyone and any age. However, this disease is most often found in elderly patients, namely over 55 years. Thus, the risk of lymphoma cancer increases with age.

2. Male gender

Some types of lymphoma are more common in men. Therefore, men are more likely to develop this disease than women.

3. Family or genetic history

Lymph cancer is not an inherited disease. However, if you have a family or close relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) who has lymph cancer, you also have the risk of getting this disease in the future.

This is not linked to any particular genetics. However, this increased risk may be due to polymorphisms that are often found in the genes of the immune system. In addition, lifestyle can also contribute as a cause of lymphoma related to family history.

4. Problems with the immune system

The immune system plays a role in fighting infection and helps get rid of cells that the body doesn't need, such as cells that are damaged or don't function properly. Therefore, someone who has problems with the immune system is more likely to develop lymphoma than those who do not.

Several conditions related to immune system can increase the risk of lymphoma, including:

• Take immunosuppressive drugs (drugs that suppress the immune system)

This drug is commonly used by someone who performs organ transplants or allogeneic (donor) stem cell transplants. The purpose of using immunosuppressive drugs is to prevent the body from reacting badly to organs or cells obtained from donors.

• Immunodeficiency disorders

For example, ataxia telangiectasia or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. However, both diseases are very rare, so cases of lymphoma that arise due to causes of immunodeficiency disorders are rarely found.

• HIV

A person with HIV cannot fight infection well, so he is at risk of developing various diseases, including lymphoma cancer. In addition, HIV infection can cause changes in the immune system so that it cannot function properly.

• Autoimmune disorders

Some autoimmune disorders can cause chronic inflammation, which can lead to lymph node cancer. In addition, someone with autoimmune disorders is more likely to take immunosuppressive drugs that can cause lymphoma. As for some of these autoimmune disorders, namely Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, or celiac disease.

5. Certain viral infections

If you are infected with certain viruses, such as Epstein-Barr, HTLV-1, hepatitis C, or herpes HHV8, you can be at risk of developing lymphoma. However, not everyone with this infection will experience lymphoma. In fact, most people with this infection do not develop lymphoma at any later date.

6. Have had cancer

A person who has had cancer before is at risk of developing other types of cancer in the future. This can occur because of the effects of previous cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The reason is, both types of treatment can damage cells, including lymphocytes, which can develop into lymphoma.

7. Chemical exposure

Not only is it a risk for leukemia, exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides, can also increase the risk of developing lymphoma. However, this has not been fully proven. The risk of developing lymphoma due to this cause is unlikely.

8. Unhealthy lifestyle

Poor lifestyle, such as smoking, consuming too much red meat, animal fat, and dairy products, lack of movement, and obesity, are said to increase a person's risk of developing lymphoma. However, the possibilities are slim and the evidence is limited.

However, at least, adopting a good lifestyle can improve the health of the body and are more likely to avoid various diseases.

However, keep in mind, having one or more of the risk factors above does not mean that you will definitely get this disease in the future. Conversely, someone who has lymph node cancer may have risk factors or unknown causes.

However, if you are worried about certain risk factors, it doesn't hurt to ask your doctor about your condition.