Causes of Lymphoma
Like all cancers, lymphoma is caused by a group of malignant cells wreaking havoc within the body. In this case, the lymphocytes are the ones mutated and by making use of the extensive reach of the lymphatic system, can be anywhere. Apart from this, no one knows what causes lymphoma exactly and research is still done to find out for sure. But some situations and circumstances have been known to elevate the chance of contracting cancer.
Some of the mundane things that can be among the causes of lymphoma are growing old and being male. Being older than 60 and having a penis have proven to be more susceptible to the disease. And apparently, being a white American helps too.
In the case of avoidable risks that can also be the causes of lymphoma, there hasn’t been any definite proof that chemical or substance exposure really can induce cancer. Still, why paint a bigger target on your back when you can just avoid the odd fog of pesticide and weed floating in the air?
The Causes Of Lymphoma Through Radition
In an ironic twist, one of the possible causes of lymphoma is radiation which, through chemotherapy, is also the best way to treat it. Tragedies like Hiroshima and Chernobyl have taught that surviving once isn’t enough, one also needs to survive life in the aftermath. The risk of acquiring cancer after the blast, and possible mutation, due to the extreme radiation exposure was very high.
Compromised immune systems in general can lead to many health problems; not the least of which is lymphoma, a cancer that primarily deals with it. The reasons that may lead to not having a tip-top immune system can range from taking drugs for leisure, to being given immune suppressors for surgery, to getting infected by HIV to being born that way. It didn’t matter since a shot immune system, whether genetic, drug-induced or otherwise, made them all open welcome mats for whatever are the real causes of lymphoma.
As lymphatic cancer obviously deals with lymphocytes, and since lymphocytes are a big part of the immune system, it really is no wonder that there is always a big risk of getting it when the body’s defenses are down. Because of this, there can be actual claims to causes of lymphoma. These are:
Autoimmune diseases – tantamount to the body personally getting rid of its safeguard against the cancer.
Particular infections – in a way, this was how lymphoma started, with the lymphocytes getting infected and mutating to become cancerous.
Viruses – there are actual strains that make it easier for lymphoma to attack the body.
On-going or prolonged infection – can cause build-up of lymphocytes and extra cells which can turn malignant
Specific bacteria, Helicobacter pylori – one of the causes of lymphoma forming in the stomach
Weight – obesity ups risks of getting lymphoma