• Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS MSC #7234, Bethesda, MD 20892-7234, USA. wangso@mail.nih.gov

Chromosomal aberrations (CAs) are thought to be integrative biomarkers that reflect exposure to chromosome-damaging carcinogens and host factors. To investigate whether CAs indicate non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk, we evaluated 200 metaphase spreads each for 67 incident low-grade, untreated NHL cases and 57 controls matched on age, sex, and storage time of cryopreserved lymphocytes. Hyperdiploidy of 47 chromosomes was statistically significantly associated with increased NHL risk with odds ratios of 1.4 (97% confidence interval [CI] = 0.6-3.5) and 3.5 (95% CI = 1.1-10.9) for medium and high levels of hyperdiploidy, respectively, compared to the lowest level (P-trend = .04). Hypodiploidy of 43 and 44 chromosomes increased NHL risk 3.3-fold (95% CI = 1.2-8.7) and 2.2 (95% CI = 1.0-5.2), respectively, compared to those without the event; total hypodiploidy was only moderately associated with risk. Chromosome and chromatid breaks were not associated with NHL risk. Our data suggest for the first time that aneuploidy identified in cultured, peripheral lymphocytes may be potential indicators of NHL risk.