Asbestos and Lymphoma: Exploring the Potential Link

Some medical researchers have questioned whether exposure to asbestos could cause lymphoma. Research is limited on the effects of asbestos in relation to lymphoma, but a connection has been suggested.

Lymphoma

• Lymphoma is a cancer that attacks the cells in the blood and affects the immune system, bone marrow and lymph nodes. There are two kinds of lymphoma, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's.

Significance

• Any person can get lymphoma, but it most commonly affects young adults and seniors. Lymphoma is responsible for more than 25,000 deaths per year in the United States.

Asbestos

• Asbestos is a fiber that was frequently used in building materials. Asbestos might be found in materials such as roof shingles, packaging and floor tiles.

Effects

• Asbestos has been proven to cause cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has also been known to cause asbestosis, a disease in which scarring from asbestos particles makes it difficult for the lung membranes to absorb enough oxygen.

Lymphoma and Asbestos

• According to asbestos.com, there have been several studies that have suggested a connection between lymphoma and exposure to asbestos, but no studies have produced conclusive evidence of a connection.