Increased Risk of Additional Lymphoma Types

[aklap]

This just in from Celiac.com...

http://www.celiac.com/st_main.html?p_catid=81
http://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1087

Increased Risk of Additional Lymphoma Types in those with Untreated Celiac Disease

Gut 2005;54:54-59.

Celiac.com 01/20/2005 - A link between untreated celiac disease and a rare enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma (ETTL) has been well established by several studies. According to Dr. Karin Ekstrom Smedby of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and colleagues, there is also an increase in the prevalence of other types of lymphomas in those with celiac disease, such as B cell and non-intestinal lymphomas. In their study the researchers reviewed and reclassified 56 cases of malignant lymphomas that occurred in 11,650 hospitalized celiac disease patients in Sweden. The observed numbers of lymphoma subtypes were compared with those expected in the Swedish population. The researchers discovered that a majority of the lymphomas were not intestinal T-cell lymphomas, but were B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In addition, 44% of the patients with B cell NHL had a history of other autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. As expected, the relative risks for T-cell NHL and primary gastrointestinal lymphomas were markedly increased. According to the researchers: “Most lymphomas complicating coeliac disease are indeed related to the disease and are not of the ETTL-type. There was a remarkable aggregation of autoimmune/inflammatory disorders, female sex, coeliac disease, and B cell lymphoma.”
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[mistyfog]

Hi,

when I hear about the risk of NHL in untreated celiac patients - are we usually talking about older folks? whose immune systems have supposedly taken years of 'abuse'?

Just curious, since my 5-yo nephew was diagnosed with NHL last year...don't know yet if there is celiac in the family. But my ears sure perked up when I heard about the link.

Thanks,
misty

[aklap]

Hi Misty,

Hmmm I don't really know the answer. If I come across it...I'll post it

Sorry to hear about your nephew. Poor little guy!!

I think NHL is quite curable, no??
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa