The liver infection hepatitis C may be linked to the cancer known as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), according to a study. 

                   However, it is not known whether the association will affect cancer treatment methods, researchers said. 

                   Previous studies examining a possible association between the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and NHL have produced varying results.

                   Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma includes several types of cancer that start in the lymphatic system. Often the cancer spreads throughout the body.

                   Hepatitis C affects close to 4 million Americans. Many patients develop chronic inflammation of the liver, and about 20 percent of people with hepatitis C develop cirrhosis, a severe scarring of the liver that can sometimes be fatal and increases the risk of liver cancer. 

                   The study involved about 1,500 people from four U.S. regions. Researchers examined how often people with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma were also infected with HCV. 

                   Results indicated that people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were about twice as likely to have HCV as compared with healthy individuals. About 3.9 percent of people with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma also had HCV, while 2.1 of healthy individuals were infected with HCV. 

                   Researchers could not identify whether specific subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were linked to HCV infection. They note that further studies are needed to confirm findings, determine mechanisms behind the association, and identify which varieties of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are associated with HCV. 

                   Reuter's Health
 

                   DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT:
 

                   I have an enormous amount of frustration with the way traditional medicine has treated hepatitis C.

                   If you read my article on hepatitis C from earlier this month, you will know that iron overload is frequently a factor in this disease.

                   Well, it has been known for many years that cancer cells have a high requirement for iron. Investigators have carefully studied the toxic iron chelator
                   desferrioxamine and found it to have potent anti-proliferative effects against both leukemia and neuroblastoma and liver cancer. Many studies are currently
                   underway to find synthetic iron chelators to treat cancer.

                   Is it possible that excess iron is a common denominator for many with this disease?

                   We may never know the answer, as this association is not being looked for. However, if you have hepatitis C or lymphoma it would sure make sense to check
                   for iron overload.

                   Related Articles:

                       Is it Hepatitis C or Iron Toxicity?

                       Hepatitis C Costs US More Than $5 Billion

                       How to Diagnose Iron Overload
 
 

                   References:

                       [1] Kwok JC, Richardson DR. The iron metabolism of neoplastic cells: alterations that facilitate proliferation? Crit Rev Oncol Hematol.
                       2002 Apr;42(1):65-78

                       [2] Richardson DR. Iron chelators as therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2002 Jun;42(3):267-81

                       [3] Kicic A, Chua AC, Baker E. The desferrithiocin (DFT) class of iron chelators: potential as antineoplastic agents. Anticancer Drug Des.
                       2001 Aug-Oct;16(4-5):195-207

                       [4] Kicic A, Chua AC, Baker E. Desferrithiocin is a more potent antineoplastic agent than desferrioxamine. Br J Pharmacol. 2002
                       Mar;135(6):1393-402

                       [5] Richardson DR. Potential of iron chelators as effective antiproliferative agents. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1997
                       Oct-Nov;75(10-11):1164-80

                       [6] Kwok JC, Richardson DR. Unexpected anthracycline-mediated alterations in iron-regulatory protein-RNA-binding activity: the iron and
                       copper complexes of anthracyclines decrease RNA-binding activity. Mol Pharmacol. 2002 Oct;62(4):888-900

                       [7] Kicic A, Chua AC, Baker E. Effect of iron chelators on proliferation and iron uptake in hepatoma cells. Cancer. 2001 Dec
                       15;92(12):3093-110