Summary:
The aim of this dissertation is the investigation of the association of
childhood non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL) with sun exposure and history of
allergic conditions in Greece. In particular, under the context of a
case-control study a sizeable and reverse specific correlation of solar
radiation and NHL risk is noted for the first time in the pediatric population
of a country that provides constant exposure of children to sunlight, in
accordance with studies among adults, with the population adherence to sun
protective behavior being limited during the study period. If this finding is
confirmed, in cooperative studies of countries with homogeneous data of solar
radiation exposure, per NHL subtype, and further associated to vitamin D levels
in order to investigate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, this may
eventually lead to changes in the recommendations of exposure of young children
to sunlight. Less obvious are the findings with regards to allergic history,
although it seems that the reverse relationship is again restricted to NHL.
Because of the rarity of the disease, conclusive findings on this issue can be
drawn only from large multicenter studies combined with laboratory confirmed
allergic predisposition by NHL subtype while potential pathophysiological
mechanisms should be carefully sought.
Keywords:
Non Hodgkin's lymphoma, Children, Allergy, Asthma, Sun exposure
