Lymphoma

What are the Risk Factors for Lymphoma?

While the risk factors and causes of lymphoma aren’t yet fully understood, it’s important to be aware of the suspected risk factors, especially for people who have a family history of the disease. 

For non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), suspected risk factors include:

• Age, most common in people age 60 or older
• Ethnicity, with Caucasians having a higher risk of developing NHL than African-Americans and Asian-Americans
• Exposure to radiation and certain chemicals
• Immune system deficiency
• Some autoimmune diseases
• Infections that weaken the immune system, such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C

Suspected risk factors for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) include:

• Epstein-Barr virus infection/mononucleosis
• Age, most common in people between ages 15 and 40, particularly those in their 20s
• Family history
• HIV infection 

Innovative Services UT Southwestern Offers for Lymphoma Treatment

Whether our patients require aggressive treatment or a watch-and-wait approach, our team of lymphoma experts works with each patient to come up with a personalized treatment plan.

Our patients benefit from:

• Leading-edge medical therapies, such as the latest chemotherapies, immunotherapies, and transplant options
• CAR T-cell therapy for treating non-Hodgkin lymphomas that haven’t responded to standard treatments
• The most advanced imaging available anywhere, which leads to a more accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment
• A dedicated cancer care team that includes professionals trained in the full spectrum of lymphoma and blood disorders
• Advanced donor matching for bone marrow transplants through the Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (HLA) Laboratory, something few centers offer at this level
• Selective radiation, such as total marrow irradiation (TMI), which helps target the bone marrow specifically while reducing radiation to healthy organs
• Full-spectrum bone marrow transplant care covering both autologous and allogeneic transplants, including outpatient options
• Comprehensive support services – such as art therapy, support groups, and nutrition guidance – to promote healing and well-being at every stage of care
• Our adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivorship clinic, directed by Vivian Irizarry, M.D., which provides personalized follow-up care to support young patients
• Clinical trials, led by UT Southwestern researchers such as Yasin Madanat, M.D., that provide access to treatments available only at top cancer centers

Our multidisciplinary teams see your case through from start to finish; you don’t need to be referred to another doctor for any treatment you may need – but we welcome the opportunity to coordinate your care with a community physician or treatment location that’s closer to your home, if UT Southwestern is a long drive for you. It’s important that your care is led and overseen by our specialized team. We treat patients from all over the state of Texas and beyond.