Leukemia vs Lymphoma : What is the Difference?

Table of Contents

• What is Leukemia?
• Types Of Leukemia
• Symptoms Of Leukemia
• Diagnosis of Leukemia
• Risk Factors and Causes
• What is Lymphoma?
• Types of Lymphoma
• Symptoms of Lymphoma
• Diagnosis of lymphoma
• Risk Factors and Causes
• Key Differences Between Leukemia and Lymphoma
• Prognosis and Survival Rates: Leukemia vs Lymphoma
• Survival Rates for Leukemia
• Survival Rates for Lymphoma
• Factors Affecting Prognosis
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Treatments for Lymphoma and Leukemia
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions
• References

Leukemia and lymphoma refer to the two different types of blood cancer. The difference between leukemia and lymphoma is that leukemia primarily impacts the bone marrow and causes the overproduction of abnormal white cells. Lymphoma, on the other hand, starts in the lymphatic system, causing abnormal cell clusters, forming primarily within lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissues.

In this article, let’s understand the whole dynamics of leukemia vs. lymphoma.

What is Leukemia?

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. It is a type of blood cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow and causes the production of abnormal white blood cells. These white cells increase infection and replace healthy blood cells.

Types of Leukemia

The type of leukemia depends on the type of blood cell that becomes cancer and its growth rate. The most common types of leukemia are:

1. Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) is a type of leukemia that progresses rapidly and replaces healthy cells.

2. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is another type of leukemia, which is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

3. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) originates in lymphocytes in the bone marrow and grows into the blood. This cancer type progresses slowly and sometimes takes years to present symptoms.

4. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a type of leukemia that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and gradually spreads to the bloodstream.

Symptoms of Leukemia

Common symptoms of leukemia are:

• Fever or chills
• Weakness
• Frequent infections
• Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen
• Nose bleeding
• Red spots on the skin
• Excessive sweating
• Bone pain

Diagnosis of Leukemia

Leukemia diagnosis is generally done through a combination of medical history, physical exams, and several tests. Common diagnostic methods include:

• Physical Exam: A detailed physical examination can help in leukemia detection. Doctors check for signs such as swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged spleen, or a liver, which may indicate leukemia.
• Complete Blood Count: This blood test plays a major role in leukemia diagnosis. This test finds out if you have abnormal levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets, which may cause leukemia.
• Blood Cell Examination: Flow cytometry and peripheral blood smear tests analyze the characteristics of bone marrow cells to classify the types of leukemia.
• Bone Marrow Biopsy: A sample of bone marrow is taken to detect leukemia cells and determine the specific type of leukemia.
• Imaging and Other Tests: CT scans, X-rays, or ultrasounds are used to look for signs of leukemia in the organs, such as enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, or liver.
• Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): A lumbar puncture may be performed to check if leukemia cells have spread to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Risk Factors and Causes

The causes of leukemia are not widely understood, but it has been reported that several key factors can increase the risk of developing it.

Some of the key risk factors for leukemia are:

• Age & Gender: Leukemia is more prevalent in men than women. The risk increases with age.
• Blood Disorder: People with pre-existing blood disorders like chronic myeloproliferative disorders increase the risk factors of leukemia.
• Family History: “Is leukemia hereditary?” is a very common question asked. However, leukemia is not inherited in most cases.
• Congenital Syndrome: Some congenital syndromes, like Down syndrome, Fanconi anemia, Bloom syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia, and Blackfan-Diamond syndrome, can increase the risk factor of leukemia.
• Smoking: It may not be a direct cause of leukemia, but it increases the risk of developing AML.
• Radiation & Chemical Exposure: Those exposed to high-energy radiation have a higher chance of developing leukemia.
• Previous Cancer Treatments: In some cases, receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy for other cancers can increase leukemia risk.

What is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a blood cancer that affects lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. It arises when a DNA mutation causes lymphocytes to grow abnormally and spread through the blood and lymphatic system. Lymphoma affects areas like lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow.

Types of Lymphoma

Lymphomas are broadly categorized into two groups:

1. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: The most common type of lymphoma is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and it develops in the lymphatic system. It tends to develop faster in older adults. It has about 70 subtypes.

2. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Hodgkin’s lymphoma develops in a type of B-cell that is found in the bone marrow.

Symptoms of Lymphoma

Symptoms of lymphoma are:

• Fever
• Night sweats
• Fatigue
• Itchy skin
• Painless swelling of lymph nodes in the belly, neck, armpits, or groin
• Pain in the chest, abdomen, or bones
• Losing weight without trying

Diagnosis of lymphoma

The diagnosis of lymphoma usually starts with a detailed physical exam, during which the doctor looks for swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, and groin. If the observations from these tests are concerning, additional tests will be recommended.

• Physical Exam: A physical exam is the first step in the diagnosis of lymphoma. During this assessment, your body will be examined for swollen lymph nodes in areas such as the neck, underarms, and groin.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is a key procedure for the diagnosis of lymphoma. It involves removing a small sample of tissue, usually from a lymph node, to test for cancer cells.
• Imaging Tests: To know if lymphoma has spread to other parts of the body, imaging tests such as CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans may be performed.

Risk Factors and Causes

The exact cause of lymphoma is unknown, but some risk factors are:

• Age: Lymphoma can occur at any age, but most types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are common in older people.
• Gender: Lymphoma develops more in males than females.
• Family History: Lymphoma is not generally inherited. However, in a small percentage of cases, having a family history of lymphoma slightly increases one’s risk of developing this condition.
• Certain Infections: Some infections make your immune system too active. This leads to the continuous production of lymphocytes that cause changes in DNA structure that lead to lymphoma.
• Weak Immune System: Someone having a weak immune system is likely to have more chances to develop lymphoma.
• Autoimmune conditions: Certain autoimmune conditions, namely Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, and lupus, can increase the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of lymphoma.
• History of Cancer Treatments: Those who have received cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a higher risk of developing lymphoma.

Key Differences Between Leukemia and Lymphoma

Although both leukemia and lymphoma are classified as blood cancers, they differ in various aspects.

Understanding leukemia and lymphoma differences is crucial for diagnosis and treatment. The lymphoma vs. leukemia difference lies in the following factors:

Prognosis and Survival Rates: Leukemia vs. Lymphoma

The prognosis and survival rates for leukemia and lymphoma depend on factors like type and stage of cancer, the patient’s age and overall health, and the response to treatment.

Survival Rates for Leukemia

Survival rates for leukemia vary by type, with around 50–80% of people surviving at least five years. ALL has an 80% survival rate and is considered the highest.

Survival Rates for Lymphoma

Hodgkin’s lymphoma has a prognosis of survival rate of around 85%. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) has a more varied prognosis, with a five-year survival rate of about 72%.

Factors Affecting Prognosis

For both leukemia and lymphoma, the prognosis depends on various factors.

Leukemia

1. Type: Acute leukemias (ALL, AML) have different survival rates than chronic (CLL, CML).
2. Age: Younger patients generally have better outcomes.
3. Stage: Early-stage leukemia usually has a better prognosis.
4. Treatment Response: If the patient shows a better treatment response, then the outcome will also be good.
5. Genetics: Certain mutations (e.g., Philadelphia chromosome) affect prognosis.
6. Overall Health: The patient’s general health can influence outcomes.

Lymphoma

1. Type: Hodgkin’s lymphoma generally has a better prognosis than non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).
2. Stage: Early-stage lymphoma typically has a better outcome.
3. Age: Younger patients often have better survival rates.
4. Treatment Response: A better treatment response is crucial for a positive prognosis.
5. NHL Subtype: Some NHL subtypes are more aggressive, affecting prognosis.
6. Overall Health: General health plays a role in treatment success and survival.

Treatments for Lymphoma and Leukemia

Treatments for leukemia and lymphoma vary depending on the type and stage of cancer.

Commonly recommended treatments for leukemia include:

• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy (like tyrosine kinase inhibitors for CML)
• Radiation therapy
• Stem cell or bone marrow transplants
• Immunotherapy
• Monoclonal antibodies

Commonly recommended treatments for lymphoma include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy
• CAR T-cell therapy
• Stem cell (bone marrow) transplantation

Conclusion

Both leukemia and lymphoma are blood cancers but differentiate in origin, symptoms, and treatment. Leukemia develops in the bone marrow and spreads through the bloodstream, while lymphoma originates in the lymphatic system.

References

• Leukemia - PubMed
• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®) - NCI
• Lymphoma—Patient Version - NCI
• Lymphoma - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
• Leukemia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
• Causes and risk factors for lymphoma