Healthy Living

What is the Difference Between Leukemia and Lymphoma?

Although there are some similarities between these two types of blood cancer, their symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook are quite different.

A majority of cancers are solid, affecting the ‘solid’ organs of the body such as the breast, lung or prostate. They account for over 1 million newly diagnosed cases per year.

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On the other hand, cancers that are not given thought to be solid are often classified in the group of blood cancers. Both leukemia and lymphoma are types of blood cancer. They account for over 140,000 newly diagnosed cases per year.

There are a few similarities among these blood cancer types but their symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook are quite different.

Definitions

Leukemia is a broad term for a group of cancers that generally develop in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is responsible for producing blood cells and when a defect occurs with the production, it can result in a high percentage of abnormal white blood cells, also known as leukocytes.

If an individual is diagnosed with leukemia, this means that their abnormal white blood cells did not perish, but instead they have multiplied out of control. Ultimately, this leaves less room for the red blood cells, which are the cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

The 4 main types of leukemia are:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia;
Acute lymphocytic leukemia;
Chronic myeloid leukemia;
Acute myeloid leukemia;

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the immune system. It affects the lymph nodes and the infection-fighting white blood cells of the immune system, also known as lymphocytes. There are two main types of lymphocytes: B cells and T cells.

If an individual is diagnosed with lymphoma, this means that their lymphocytes have multiplied out of control.

Depending on the cell of origin, the 2 main types of lymphoma are:

Hodgkin’s lymphoma – stemming from a specific type of abnormal B cell called a Reed-Sternberg cell;
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – stemming from either from the B cells or T cells;

Although they are considered rare diseases, diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is considered far more frequent from diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Symptoms

Leukemia and lymphoma share some similar symptoms, but others may be more distinctive of one disease than the other.

Some of the most common symptoms of leukemia are enlarged or swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, weakness, fever, easy bleeding or bruising, recurrent nosebleeds, bone pain or tenderness, tiny red spots on the skin (petechiae), frequent or severe infections, excessive night sweats, and unintended weight loss.

By comparison, the symptoms of lymphoma differ depending on the type of cancer in question. Some of the most common symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma are swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin, tiredness, fever, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, severe itching, excessive night sweats, and unintended weight loss. Some of the most common symptoms of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are enlarged lymph nodes, tiredness, fever, shortness of breath, feeling of fullness, a swollen stomach, chest pain, sweating and chills, and unintended weight loss.

Causes

Both leukemia and lymphoma are caused when there are issues with the body’s leukocytes.

In leukemia, it is believed that a mix of genetic and environmental factors causes the blood cells to grow out of control and multiply rapidly, leading to fewer healthy blood cells and triggering disease.

In lymphoma, it is believed that a lymphocyte develops a genetic mutation that causes a cell to grow out of control and from there, triggers the abnormal growth of numerous unhealthy lymphocytes.

The main difference is that leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood, whereas lymphoma is a type of cancer that has a tendency to affect the lymph nodes and other tissues.

Risk factors

Both leukemia and lymphoma have different risk factors.

Leukemia can occur at any age. However, it most commonly develops in younger children ages 2-8. Some of the risk factors of leukemia include:

Family history of leukemia
Genetic disorders
Smoking
Exposure to certain chemicals
Previous cancer treatment (radiation therapy or chemotherapy)

Lymphoma can also occur at any age. However, unlike leukemia, it most commonly develops in individuals between the ages of 15 and 40 or after the age of 50. Some of the risk factors of lymphoma include:

Family history of lymphoma
Autoimmune diseases
A weakened immune system
Previous infection with the Epstein-Barr virus infection or H. pylori infection
Exposure to certain chemicals
Previous cancer treatment (radiation therapy or chemotherapy)

Diagnosis

Although diagnosing leukemia and lymphoma requires undergoing a physical exam and taking into account an individual’s medical history, both are otherwise diagnosed differently.

To diagnose leukemia, a blood test is performed to identify any abnormal levels of white blood cells. To confirm the diagnosis, a bone marrow biopsy may also be performed.

To diagnose lymphoma, a biopsy of a swollen lymph node or other area that appears to be affected is performed.

Treatment

Both leukemia and lymphoma require different approaches when it comes to treatment. Moreover, the type of leukemia / lymphoma in question may also change matters in how the cancer is treated.

Leukemia is often treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, biological therapy or stem cell transplant.

Lymphoma is often treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant, drug therapy or surgery (in rare instances).

Outlook

In terms of prevalence, 2018 statistics reveal there will be over 60,000 newly diagnosed cases of leukemia and more than 83,000 newly diagnosed cases of lymphoma.

In terms of survival rate, 2018 statistics reveal there will be over 24,000 deaths from leukemia and nearly 21,000 deaths from lymphoma. The 5-year survival rate for individuals diagnosed with lymphoma is between 65-90% (depending on the type of lymphoma), whereas the 5-year survival rate for all subtypes of leukemia is around 61%.

“There are so many different types of lymphomas and many different types of leukemias. So, the most important thing is to have a clear understanding of your specific disease. Good communication and good education from your oncologist or from your doctor is critical in helping you understand what you’re dealing with, and the therapeutic choices available to you” said Dr. David Topolsky, a hematologist/oncologist. Early detection plays an important role in successful treatment and enhanced quality of life.

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