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Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that begins in lymphocytes — white blood cells that are part of the immune system. When these cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, they can form cancer in areas such as the lymph nodes, bone marrow, or spleen.
The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). HL and NHL each include several subtypes and can occur at any age, though HL is more common in younger adults, and NHL usually affects older adults. The type of lymphoma and the treatment can affect what other health conditions, known as comorbidities, a person may develop.
Comorbidities are common among people with lymphoma, especially older adults. In fact, nearly all older adults have at least one chronic condition, and most have more than one. A British study found that about 30 percent of people with HL had at least one additional condition, and around 13 percent had two or more.
Learning about these conditions can help you and your doctor manage symptoms, feel better, and prevent new health issues. Some of the most common and important conditions related to lymphoma are described below.
Heart disease and hypertension (high blood pressure) are common in older adults who have lymphoma. It’s also important to know that lymphoma and some of its treatments can affect heart health.
Some chemotherapy drugs and radiation used to treat lymphoma can weaken the heart muscle over time. This damage can raise the risk of serious issues like heart failure (when the heart can’t pump blood well) or irregular heartbeats.
Because older adults diagnosed with lymphoma are already more likely to have heart disease, this combination of conditions often changes their treatment options.
For example, people with NHL, especially the fast-growing type called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), may already have heart problems when they are diagnosed. This diagnosis affects which treatments are safe for them. Doctors may need to lower their dose of certain chemotherapy drugs or choose medicines that are known to be gentler on the heart.
Blood clots are another major concern. Lymphoma itself, along with high-dose chemotherapy and long periods of limited movement during recovery, can significantly increase blood clot risk. This higher risk can lead to deep vein thrombosis, a clot that usually forms in the leg, or pulmonary embolism, a clot that travels to the lungs. Both require quick medical care.
The lymphatic system runs through your whole body, including your chest. When lymph nodes in the chest get bigger, they can press on your airways. This pressure can make it hard to breathe or cause coughing.
Some cancer treatments, like chest radiation or certain chemotherapy drugs, can hurt the lungs. This damage can lead to pulmonary fibrosis (swelling or scarring in the lung tissue). It may appear months or even years after treatment.
People who already have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to have breathing problems during or after lymphoma treatment. Doctors may check how well the lungs are working before starting therapy.
Lymphoma starts in lymphocytes. These cells help your body fight infections. This means lymphoma can weaken your immune system.
Treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplants can make your immune system weaker.
A weak immune system makes it easier to get infections, like viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). These viruses can also increase the chance of getting some types of lymphoma.
In particular, infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated lymphoma and EBV linked to lymphoma show how certain viruses can play a role in the disease.
People with organ transplants or autoimmune diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis) are more at risk because their immune system may be weaker.
Doctors may do blood tests to check your immune system and may give medicines to help prevent infections.
People with lymphoma, especially NHL, may be more likely to have diabetes or other blood glucose (blood sugar) problems. High blood sugar can make chemotherapy harder on your body and may cause more side effects.
Diabetes can also raise the risk for heart disease and nerve damage, so managing blood sugar is important during cancer treatment. Eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, and staying active with your care team’s guidance can help.
A lymphoma diagnosis can be life-changing. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common after blood cancer treatment. These feelings may come from fear of recurrence, tiredness, or changes in physical health. Support from mental health professionals, counselors, or peer groups can make a big difference.
Some types of lymphoma and their treatments can affect bone marrow, where new blood cells form. Damage to the bone marrow can lead to bone marrow failure, meaning your body can’t make enough healthy blood cells. This can cause:
Long-term use of steroids — which are often part of lymphoma treatment — or certain other drugs may weaken bones, leading to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that makes bones fragile and more likely to break. Doctors may check bone density or recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements to help protect bone health.
Radiation near the neck is sometimes used to treat lymphoma. This treatment can affect the thyroid, a small gland that controls metabolism. When the thyroid is damaged, it can cause fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or weight gain, as well as irregularities of the menstrual cycle.
Because chemotherapy targets fast-growing cells, healthy tissues can sometimes be affected. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may increase the risk of developing other cancer types, such as leukemia, breast cancer, or thyroid cancer.
Doctors watch for these risks and may recommend regular screenings or clinical trials to find safer, better therapies.
Certain viruses can play a role in developing lymphoma. For example, EBV, HCV, and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) are known risk factors, especially for specific subtypes of NHL.
HIV infection can increase the likelihood of developing lymphoma. These are sometimes called HIV-associated lymphomas. Compared to someone without HIV, a person living with HIV is 10 to 20 times more likely to develop NHL and five to 10 times more likely to develop HL. The risk of developing lymphoma for people with HIV has decreased dramatically since the height of the AIDS epidemic, thanks to better HIV treatments.
Burkitt lymphoma accounts for approximately 10 percent of lymphoma cases in people with HIV. Burkitt lymphoma is considered an AIDS-defining cancer. In other words, if you have HIV and are then diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, you are considered to have AIDS — the most severe stage of immune deficiency caused by HIV infection.
DLBCL accounts for about 50 percent of lymphomas related to HIV infection. Two rare subtypes of DLBCL are commonly associated with HIV: primary central nervous system lymphoma and plasmablastic lymphoma. DLBCL is also an AIDS-defining cancer.
Primary effusion lymphoma is a very rare type of NHL that most commonly affects younger people with HIV. Primary effusion lymphoma accounts for just 4 percent of HIV-related lymphomas. This involves cancer cells in the fluid surrounding certain body cavities, such as the heart, lungs, or abdomen.
Most HIV-related lymphomas are types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The good news is that effective HIV treatment and modern oncology care have improved survival rates. Immunotherapy and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy are being studied in clinical trials as promising new treatments.
Some people with autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), have a higher chance of getting certain slow-growing types of lymphoma.
Ongoing inflammation or long-term use of medicines that lower the immune system can make white blood cells act differently, which can raise this risk.
Lymphoma and its treatments can lead to other comorbidities. Even after treatment ends, some people experience late effects months or years later.
These may include:
These side effects can vary depending on your age, type of lymphoma, and the specific treatments used. Regular follow-ups and imaging, such as CT or a positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan when your doctor recommends it, can help detect problems early.
It’s important to tell your healthcare provider about all your medications and supplements. Some may interact with lymphoma treatment or raise the risk of side effects.
If you notice new or worsening symptoms — such as swollen lymph nodes, itchy skin, or night sweats — contact your doctor. Working closely with your healthcare team helps you make informed choices about treatment options and manage your overall health.
On MyLymphomaTeam, people share their experiences with lymphoma, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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