Roundup and the Lymphatic System: What You Need to Know

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (a division of the World Health Organization) labeled glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic in humans,” meaning it’s a likely cancer-causing compound.

In 2019, another study found that exposure to high levels of glyphosate in weed killers like Roundup increased the risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma by as much as 41%. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system (which is related to your ​​circulatory and immune systems) and can occur if the product gets on your skin, if you inhale it, or if you accidentally ingest it.

What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is a network of tissues, vessels, and organs that move a fluid called lymph through your body. Lymph’s main job is to help transport white blood cells. This is a vital function for life. The lymphatic system maintains fluid levels, absorbs fats from the digestive tract, protects your body against foreign invaders, and transports and removes waste from your body.

The lymphatic system has many parts, including:

• Lymph
• Lymph nodes
• Lymphatic vessels
• Collecting ducts
• Spleen
• Thymus gland
• Tonsils and adenoid
• Bone marrow
• Appendix
• Peyer’s patches (small follicles that line your small intestine).

Lymphoma occurs when infection-fighting white blood cells (lymphocytes) grow and multiply uncontrollably.

How Does Roundup Affect the Lymphatic System?

Roundup exposure has been linked with lymphoma due to the active ingredient’s (glyphosate) effect on white blood cells within the lymphatic system. This exposure can result in various types of lymphoma, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.

Signs and symptoms of lymphoma can include:

• The swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Itchy skin

However, symptoms will vary based on the type of lymphoma. We recommend you consult your doctor if you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms after exposure to Roundup.

Roundup and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Roundup is most commonly known for causing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma often appears in several different forms. Below are some of the common lymphoma types associated with Roundup exposure.

T-Cell Lymphoma and Roundup

T-cell lymphoma is a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that can develop in lymphoid tissues or in the tissues of the liver, skin, nasal cavity, or gastrointestinal tract. This type of lymphoma makes up less than 15 percent of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases in the United States. T-cell lymphoma Roundup victims may experience symptoms such as pain in the armpit, neck, or groin, night sweats, weight loss, fever, skin rash, and enlargement of the liver and spleen.

Mantle Cell Lymphoma and Roundup

Mantle cell lymphoma is an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that affects B-cell lymphocytes. Mantle cell lymphoma causes abnormal B lymphocytes to accumulate in the lymph nodes and organs of the body. These abnormal B lymphocytes can form tumors or cause problems within the lymphatic system or various organs. Mantle cell lymphoma accounts for approximately six percent of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases in the United States. While this form of lymphoma is most common in men over the age of 60, it can affect men and women of all ages.

Mantle cell lymphoma Roundup victims often experience symptoms that include swelling of the neck, armpit, or groin, heavy sweating at night, fever, nausea or vomiting, rapid weight loss, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Roundup

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a lymphoma that occurs in the blood and bone marrow. It is most common in adults, and the average age of diagnosis is 70 years old.

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia cases, your body creates abnormal lymphocytes, or leukemia cells. These cells don’t fight infection well and take up the space that your body needs for healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia Roundup victims often experience chronic lymphocytic leukemia symptoms like fatigue, fever, infection without a known cause, pain or fullness below the ribs, swollen lymph nodes, and unexplained weight loss. There are no symptoms in some cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and in these cases, it is detected because of an abnormal blood test result.

For more information about the negative effects that Roundup can have on your body, see our Roundup lawsuit information page.

Contact an Experienced Lawyer Today

Numerous lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of Roundup. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lymphoma that you think may have been caused by Roundup, reach out to the Guardian Legal Network. We can help put you in touch with the right law firm to get you the justice and compensation that you deserve. Contact us today for more information.

References

• Cindy Peillex and Martin Pelletier. “The Impact and Toxicity of Glyphosate and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides on Health and Immunity,” J Immunotoxicol., https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32897110/. Accessed January 14, 2022.
• Luoping Zhang, et al. “Exposure to Glyphosate-Based Herbicides and Risk for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Meta-Analysis and Supporting Evidence,” Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrrev.2019.02.001. Accessed January 14, 2022.
• Helen H. McDuffie, et al. “Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Specific Pesticide Exposures in Men,” Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev., https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11700263/. Accessed January 14, 2022.
• Paolo Boffetta, et al. “Exposure to Glyphosate and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: An Updated Meta-Analysis,” Med Lav., https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34142676/. Accessed January 14, 2022.
• Sally M Bradberry, et al. “Glyphosate poisoning,” Toxicol Rev. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15862083/. Accessed January 14, 2022.