Cancers at a glance

Click the cancer types below to view the latest key facts on trends in new cases, deaths and survival in NSW.

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In depth cancer reports

For detailed data and analysis, please see the latest cancer reports published by the Cancer Institute

Cancer in NSW: Incidence and Mortality 2008

Other cancer reports

Online cancer statistics

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Non-Hodgkins lymphoma

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Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma accounts for 3.8 per cent of all new cancer and 4 per cent of cancer deaths in NSW.

At a glance

2008 statistics Men Women All People
Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate Trend Cases Rate
New cases 758 21.3 icon-trend-static.png 633 15.5 icon-trend-static.png 1,391 18.2
Deaths 292 8.5 positive trend downwards 19.5 236 5.1 positive trend downwards 32.2 528 6.6
Relative survival
(5 year)		 63% icon-trend-static.png 2% 66% icon-trend-static.png 5% -

icon-trend-static.png No statistically significant change.

  • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is the eighth most common cause of cancer incidence and the ninth cause of mortality in NSW.
  • One in 36 males and one in 49 females will develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by the age of 85.

Cases refers to the number of people with the disease; Rate means cases per 100,000 people (age standardised); Trend means the change in the rate over 10 years.

Historical trends

New cases

Age-standardised incidence, NSW

nonhodgkinslymphoma-incidence.png

Deaths

Age-standardised mortality, NSW

nonhodgkinslymphoma-mortality.png

 

Risk factors

  • Immune deficiency is the most well described risk factor for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • Associated with either immunosuppressive therapy following organ transplant, HIV or autoimmune disease.
  • Some studies have shown a higher risk in siblings or first-degree relatives of people with lymphoma or other blood cancers.
  • An increased risk is also associated with previous treatment for cancer and exposure to viruses including Epstein-Barr, human T-cell lymphotrophic, hepatitis C, Helicobacter pylori (germ of the stomach lining) and herpes virus 8.
  • Diet risks may include excessive consumption of red meat, milk and
    dairy products.

 

Prevention

A diet rich in fish, fruit and vegetables is considered to be a protective factor.

Detection and screening

There is no agreed screening method for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Symptoms usually include swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever and drenching night sweats. Usually, however, these symptoms are caused by other illnesses.

Diagnosis is performed through physical examination, blood tests, chest x-rays and biopsy of a lymph node or affected organ.

Research

Around $17.8 million was spent on research into lymphohaematopoietic cancers, including non-Hodgkin's ymphoma, in NSW between 2007 and 2009.

Data sources:

  1. Cancer In NSW, Incidence and Mortality Report 2008. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, August 2010.
  2. Cancer Research in NSW 2007-2009. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW. March 2011.
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