Epidemiology of the lymphomas in the United Kingdom: recent developments

A discussion of the difficulties associated with classification of the lymphomas, particularly by subtype, precedes the descriptive epidemiology of the disease. Recent data collected in the United Kingdom and Yorkshire are presented to illustrate demographic features and variations in lymphoma incidence, both in relation to certain time periods and geographical distribution. Lymphoma aetiology is addressed in the light of current epidemiological approaches, using as an example data from a Yorkshire based case-control study. Three broad areas of aetiological significance--genetics, viruses and immunity--form the bases for presenting descriptions of known or suspected aetiological factors associated with Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The final overview points the way to relevant future research.