Authors
Cerhan JR.
Institution
Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of
Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242-1008, USA.
Title
New epidemiologic leads in
the etiology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in
the elderly: the role of blood transfusion
and diet. [Review] [38 refs]
Source
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 51(5):200-7, 1997.
Abstract
The incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in persons over
the age of 65 years has increased dramatically since
the 1950s in western countries. The
strongest known risk factors for NHL are primary or acquired
immunosuppression, but these severe deficiencies are
relatively rare and cannot explain the rapid increase
observed in the elderly. Recent work suggests that common
exposures which influence immunocompetence, albeit at a much weaker level,
may also be risk factors for NHL. Two such risk factors recently associated
with NHL are prior history of blood transfusion and certain aspects of diet.
In four out of four studies, prior history of blood transfusion was
associated with approximately a doubling in NHL risk, even for a transfusion
first received a decade or more before diagnosis. Other
studies suggest that diets high in animal proteins and fats may increase
the risk of NHL while fruit and vegetable consumption may
decrease risk. Allogeneic blood transfusion is known to suppress
the immune system, and diets high in protein and fat may
also lead to altered immunocompetence, although other
mechanisms such as viral transmission or the effects of
heterocyclic amines and N-nitroso compounds may also play a role. Follow-up
of these observations my lead to a better understanding of
the NHL epidemic and new approaches to
the prevention of NHL. [References: 38]