Hodgkin's Disease

Home » Hodgkin's Disease » Risk Factors

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Hodgkin’s Disease
(Free Handout)

Risk Factors

Several cellular changes are associated with lymphoma; however, the reasons that these changes occur are unknown. Certain factors can increase the risk for Hodgkin's disease (HD). Some of these factors, such as age and genetics, are non-modifiable (i.e., beyond our control), and other factors, such as environment or lifestyle choices, are modifiable (i.e., able to be controlled or corrected).

All cancers, including lymphoma, begin as a mutation (change) in the genetic material—the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)—within certain cells. The external or internal causes of such change probably add up over a lifetime. DNA errors may occur in the form of translocations—damage produced when part of one chromosome becomes displaced and attached to another chromosome. Translocations disrupt the normal sequencing of the genes.

As a result, oncogenes (cancer-promoting genes) on the chromosomes may be switched on and tumor suppressors (cancer-preventing genes) may be switched off. These changes are common in cases of lymphoma. Physicians test for these translocations to help diagnose the type of lymphoma, determine a patient's prognosis (expected outcome), and detect cancer recurrence.

A number of factors may increase the risk for DNA damage within the body's lymphocytes (specialized white blood cells). Risk factors for Hodgkin's lymphoma include the following:

• Age
• Sex
• Infections
• Medical Conditions
• Genetics

Age
The rate of HD is high in two age groups: young adults (age 15–40) and older adults (age 55+).

Sex
In general, both Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma affect men more often than women.

Infections
The risk of HD is somewhat higher in people who have been infected with viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV infects the B-cells and causes an illness known as infectious mononucleosis (sometimes referred to as "mono"). In people who have mono, the infected B-cells are sought out and killed by the body's T-cells. But if the patient has a T-cell shortage, the EBV-infected B-cells build up within the bloodstream and increase the risk for genetic mutations that can cause lymphoma. It is important to note that there is no evidence of EBV infection in many HD patients, so its role in development of the disease remains uncertain.

Medical Conditions
Specific medical conditions may increase the risk for Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. HD and NHL are more common among patients who have a weakened immune system, such as those with:

• Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)—disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV);
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, under- or overactive thyroid)—disease caused by the body's immunologic attacks against its own tissues;
• Inherited immune deficiency syndromes (e.g., ataxia telangiectasia); or
• Organ transplants that require the use of immunosuppressant drugs.

Some experts believe that HD is caused by a complex deficiency in cellular immunity. Such a deficiency may be due to chronic overstimulation by cytokines—substances that draw germ-fighting white blood cells to areas of infection.

Genetics
The rates of lymphoma and leukemia (e.g., chronic lymphocytic leukemia, CLL) are especially high in some Jewish populations, whereas Asian populations rarely develop CLL. Among first-degree relatives (parents, children, siblings) of CLL patients there is a two- to four-fold increased risk for this cancer.

© 1998-2010 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Hodgkin's Disease Resources

	Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Cancer The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your cancer treatment. Print this free handout to take with you on your next office visit.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Join Our Hodgkin's Disease Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted. National Cancer Survivors Day is June 7, 2009 Share your survival story and help others in the fight against cancer. Read stories already submitted
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer