Sjogren's Syndrome and Lymphoma

Image of lymphoma cell found here. 

An interesting study from researchers in Norway was published this month:

The risk of non-hodgkin lymphoma in primary sjögren's syndrome, a population-based study.

Johnsen SJ, Brun JG, Gøransson LG, Småstuen MC, Johannesen TB, Haldorsen K, Harboe E, Jonsson R, Meyer PA, Omdal R.

Source

Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger.

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but the reported prevalence and risk vary considerably. The objective of this study was to determine the risk of NHL in a well-defined population-based pSS cohort in Norway
METHODS: The authors studied all patients fulfilling the American-European Consensus Group criteria for pSS in two Norwegian counties and compared the data to the Cancer Registry of Norway to identify lymphoma in the pSS patients. In addition, lymphoma patient files from the same period were reviewed for undiagnosed pSS to assure the quality of registry data
RESULTS: As of July 1, 2009, 443 living subjects with pSS were identified in the area housing 896,840 inhabitants, 18.6% of the total population in Norway. Seven (1.6%) cases of NHL were found during a total follow-up of 3,813 person-years, resulting in a standard incidence ratio of 9.0 (95% confidence interval 7.1-25.3) for NHL in pSS patients. CONCLUSION: The risk of NHL in patients with pSS in Norway is 9-times increased compared with the general population. This is in accordance with recent studies, and the quality and completeness of the registries and strict use of diagnostic criteria support the validity of the results. (Bolding mine.)

The increased prevalence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in patients with Sjogren's syndrome is well documented, read this and this.

Even with this increased prevalence, NHL is still a relatively rare problem associated with Sjs. But knowledge is power, people. So talk to your doctor if you have any questions regarding Sjogren's related lymphomas.

You can read more about non-Hodgkin's lymphoma here and here.