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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2015 Apr 11;15(5):531–544. doi: 10.1586/14737140.2015.1023712

Table 2.

Risk Factors for Indolent B-Cell NHL

Factors that Increase Risk of LPL/WM Factors that Decrease Risk of LPL/WM

Sjögren’s syndrome Hay fever
Systemic lupus erythematosus Increased adult weight (Q4)
HCV infection
1st degree family history of any hematologic malignancy
Cigarette smoking for ≥ 40 years
Employed as a medical doctor

Factors that Increase Risk of FL Factors that Decrease Risk of FL

1st degree family history of NHL Any atopic disorder
High BMI as a young adult Prior blood transfusion
Employed as a spray painter Increased sun exposure
Sjögren’s syndrome (female) Employed as:
 baker or miller
 university/higher education teacher
Cigarette smoking (female) Alcohol consumption (female)

Factors that Increase Risk of CLL/SLL Factors that Decrease Risk of CLL/SLL

1st degree family history of any hematologic malignancy Any atopic disorder
HCV infection Prior blood transfusion
Occupation or residence on a farm Increased sun exposure
Employed as a hairdresser
Increased height

Factors that Increase Risk of MZL Factors that Decrease Risk of MZL

B-cell activating conditions Alcohol consumption
HCV infection Employed as a teacher
Peptic ulcers
Asthma without other atopic condition
1st degree family history of any hematologic malignancy
Hair dye use
Employed as a metal worker

Factors that Increase Risk of MCL Factors that Decrease Risk of MCL

1st degree family history of any hematologic malignancy Any atopic disorder
Residence on a farm

Note: NHL=non-Hodgkin lymphoma, MZL=marginal zone lymphoma, HL=Hodgkin lymphoma, SLL/CLL=small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Q4=4th quartile, cm=centimeters, FL=follicular lymphoma, BMI=body mass index, kg=kilograms, m2=meters squared, LPL/WM=lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, Q2=2nd quartile, Q3=3rd quartile.