How Roundup's Glyphosate Causes Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: The Science Explained
More than 100,000 lawsuits allege that Roundup causes Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. At the center of every case is a single molecule — glyphosate — and a mounting body of research showing how it disrupts human cell biology. Understanding the science helps you understand why juries keep siding with cancer patients against Bayer AG.
In This Article
How Glyphosate Damages Human Cells
Although glyphosate's primary target in plants is the EPSPS enzyme pathway, studies have shown it can disrupt human cells through oxidative stress, DNA strand breaks, and interference with hormonal and gut-microbiome systems. When DNA is damaged and cells replicate before repair, the result is uncontrolled growth — cancer. Occupational users absorb far higher dermal doses than occasional homeowners, which correlates directly with elevated cancer rates in farming and landscaping populations.
The IARC Classification That Triggered Litigation
In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as 'probably carcinogenic to humans' (Group 2A), citing sufficient evidence in laboratory animals and limited evidence in humans. This ruling — combined with internal Monsanto emails showing the company attempted to ghostwrite scientific studies and influence regulators — became the foundation of tens of thousands of lawsuits. Courts have consistently ruled these documents admissible, and juries have found them damning.
Used Roundup and developed Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Find out if you may qualify — free case review.
Check Eligibility arrow_forwardKey Studies Linking Glyphosate to NHL
A 2019 meta-analysis in Mutation Research found a 41% increased NHL risk among people with high glyphosate exposure. The U.S. government's Agricultural Health Study, tracking tens of thousands of farm families, found elevated risk of specific NHL subtypes in heavily exposed farmers. Plaintiffs' expert witnesses cite these studies at trial to establish general causation — that glyphosate is capable of causing the cancer — before showing it actually caused the individual plaintiff's cancer.
What the Science Means for Your Case
If you were regularly exposed to Roundup and later diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, the existing science supports a legal claim. Your attorney's expert witnesses will present the research to the jury. You do not need to understand every study — but you do need to act before your state's statute of limitations expires, typically two to three years from your diagnosis date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cancer does Roundup cause?expand_more
The cancer most consistently linked to Roundup is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), including subtypes such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. Some plaintiffs have also alleged other blood cancers. Your specific diagnosis will determine your claim's strength.
Is the Roundup cancer science settled?expand_more
The science is contested but substantial. Multiple major epidemiological studies show elevated NHL risk with occupational exposure, and courts have consistently allowed plaintiffs' experts to testify. The majority of completed trials have resulted in verdicts for plaintiffs.
Can I sue if my doctor never mentioned Roundup?expand_more
Yes. Many oncologists do not investigate herbicide exposure as a cause. If you have a qualifying diagnosis and a history of Roundup use, you can file a claim regardless of what your treating physician said or did not say about the cause.
SuperLawsuits Editorial Team
Reviewed by licensed attorneys in our network