The authors of a recent study in Germany state that changing trends in lifestyle exposures are suggested to be contributing factors to the increasing incidence rates for lymphoma. They investigated the relationship between smoking and alcohol consumption and the risk of lymphoma among adult participants of a population-based case-control study recently conducted in Germany. In 710 case-control pairs, an increased risk of lymphoma was associated with a long duration of smoking and smoking of > 20 cigarettes per day. Elevated odds ratios were seen for most lymphoma subentities, albeit mostly without reaching statistical significance. A strong association was evident between smoking and multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma among men.

Alcohol consumption 10 years prior to the date of interview appeared to decrease the risk of lymphoma. Odds ratios for men who reported alcohol consumption were 53% lower compared to men who drank very little or no alcohol. The same tendency was evident for women, although the association was less pronounced. The inverse relationship was also seen for low amounts of alcohol and did not appear to be restricted to specific types of beverages. Although biologic rationale for a protective effect of alcohol consumption may be given, a more in depth analysis involving genetic markers is indicated to clarify if ethanol, other components in alcoholic beverages, or factors associated with moderate drinking reduce lymphoma risk among adults. In conclusion, this investigation suggests a positive association between tobacco smoking and lymphoma risk and finds decreased odds ratios among consumers of alcohol.

This study showed that smoking is associated with an increased risk of lymphoma. The increased risk appeared to be greater for heavier current smokers and long-term smokers, and the increased risk was seen for up to 15 years after cessation of smoking. Alcohol consumption was associated with lower risk of lymphoma. The investigators used men who were complete abstainers or consuming less than 2 gms of alcohol per day , and women consuming < 0.5 grams per day, as the referent group; when they excluded complete abstainers, however, the results were unchanged.

The magnitude of association for drinkers (regardless of the amount consumed or the type of beverage) was an approximately 50% lower risk of lymphoma for men and 30% lower risk for women.