Within the group of tumors known as leukemias, as well as among disorders categorized as lymphomas, there are numerous distinctions. We’ll go over some of these differences, including definitions and origins, as well as cells, but it’s crucial to understand that there are certain exceptions. You’ll see that one of leukemia’s traits is more common in some types of lymphoma than in others, and vice versa.
Lymphoma vs Leukemia
The main difference between Lymphoma and Leukemia is which age group gets most affected by which type of cancer. Lymphoma is more common in the older group of people and is not so rare kind of cancer whereas Leukemia is seen among children but it’s also very rare at the same time.
“Any cancer of the lymphatic tissue” is defined as lymphoma. Both cells and organs make up lymphoid tissue. Organs such as the thymus, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen, as well as cells (including certain white blood cells). The lymphocyte is the most frequent cell type in lymphoid tissue. In addition to tissues, lymphoid tissue contains groups of cells that are strategically placed all through the body to fight off invaders.
“A persistent, malignant illness of the blood-forming tissues characterized by aberrant proliferation & evolution of leukocytes and their progenitors in the blood and bone marrow,” is defined as Leukemia. The bone marrow produces all red blood cells in adults, as well as the majority of white blood cells termed granulocytes, which are targeted in this form of malignancy.
Comparison Table Between Lymphoma and Leukemia
| Parameters of Comparison | Lymphoma | Leukemia |
| Definition | Defined as a malignant disease of blood-forming | Defined as any of the lymphoid tissue causing cancer |
| Causes | Lymphoma cells appear in the bloodstream | Excess white cells appear in the bloodstream |
| Age group | Mostly older people are affected | Happens among children |
| Common | It is a common type of cancer | It is a very rare cancer |
| Symptoms | Many painless symptoms | Many systems fall under this which is painful. |
What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, that is a part of the body’s germ-fighting mechanism. The lymphatic system (lymph glands), spleen, thymus gland, & bone marrow are all part of the lymphatic system. All of these locations, as well as other organs throughout the body, can be affected by lymphoma.
Lymphoma comes in a variety of forms. Hodgkin’s lymphoma (previously known as Hodgkin’s disease) and Non-lymphoma Hodgkin’s are the two primary subtypes. The optimal lymphoma therapy for you is determined by the type and severity of your lymphoma. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy medicines, radiation therapy, a bone marrow transplant, or a combination of these treatments may be used to treat lymphoma.
Lymphoma is caused by an unknown factor, according to doctors. But it all starts with a genetic mutation in a disease-fighting white blood cell called a lymphocyte. The mutation causes the cell to grow quickly, resulting in a large number of sick lymphocytes that continue to multiply. Lymphoma can be caused by several factors, including: What is your age? Some lymphoma kinds are more common in young individuals, whereas others are diagnosed more frequently in persons over 55.
Males are somewhat more prone to get lymphoma than are females. Having an immune system that isn’t working properly. Lymphoma is more likely in those who have immune system illnesses or who take immune-suppressing medications. The onset of certain infections. The Epstein-Barr virus and Helicobacter pylori infection, for example, are linked to an increased risk of lymphoma.
What is Leukemia?
Growth in the white blood cell count in your body causes leukemia, a blood cancer. White blood cells squeeze out all the red blood cells and platelets your body requires to stay healthy. The additional white blood cells aren’t functioning properly.
Different forms of leukemia might result in various complications. In the early stages of some kinds, you may not notice any symptoms. Symptoms that you may experience include: weakness or weariness, Bruising, and bleeding are easy to come by. Whether it’s a fever or the chills, Severe infections, or infections that recur, Bone or joint pain is a common ailment. Seizures, Headaches, and Vomiting Losing weight, Shortness of breath, and night sweats
Blood includes 3 types of cells: white cells, which fight infection, RBCs, which transport oxygen, and platelets, which aid in blood clotting. Billions of red blood cells are produced by the bone marrow every day, the majority of which are red cells. When there is leukemia body produces more white blood cells than required.
Healthy white blood cells could fight off infection, but leukemia cells can’t. They start to alter the way your organs function because there are so many of them. Red blood cells get reduced so much it could cause oxygen deficiency due to a shortage of carriers, blood gets clotted by platelets, or regular white blood cells to fight infection over time.
Main Differences Between Lymphoma and Leukemia
- Lymphoma is defined as a malignant disease that happens to the blood-forming tissues whereas Leukemia is cancer that affects the lymphoid tissues targeting tissues and organs.
- Lymphoma tissues appear in the bloodstream whereas in Leukemia the presence of white blood cells increases and becomes an issue for the bloodstream.
- The most affected age group is the older people whereas Leukemia is seen among children.
- Lymphoma is a common type of cancer whereas Leukemia is very rare.
- Lymphoma symptoms are usually not painful whereas it’s just the opposite case when it comes to Leukemia cancer.
Conclusion
White blood cells and the immune system are both affected by leukemia and lymphoma cancers. These may affect the body in different ways. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy can all help to manage and, in some cases, eliminate these illnesses. However, depending on the type of cancer a person gets, the treatment technique and prognosis will differ. As researchers learn more and create novel ways to treat cancer, survival rates are steadily improving.
Many stage 4 solid tumors, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer, on the other hand, are incurable and virtually usually fatal. However, certain treatment options, such as therapeutic targets and immunotherapy, give hope that those with solid tumors will eventually catch up to those with blood-related cancers in terms of survival.
References
- https://rupress.org/jem/article/154/5/1403/57112/Human-cutaneous-T-cell-lymphoma-and-leukemia-cell
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/gcc.10178