Leukemia and lymphoma are among the most common types of blood malignancies. Leukemia affects white blood cells that fight infection, whereas lymphoma develops in the lymphatic system and also affects some white blood cells. In leukemia, cancer cells travel through the bloodstream, whereas in lymphoma, they clump together to form tumors. Although the symptoms for both the tumors are fairly similar, the methods with which they are diagnosed and who gets affected are an important difference.

Leukemia and lymphoma symptoms

Symptoms of leukemia and lymphoma are often alike. Generally, both diseases involve similar organs. The bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes are some of the blood-producing organs affected by leukemia. These organs, the tonsils, a part of the respiratory system, and mucous membranes are also affected by lymphoma. This is a summary of the similarities and differences between the symptoms of the two illnesses.

Disparities

There are many similarities between leukemia and lymphoma, including the blood cells affected and the symptoms they produce. There are also some important differences to be aware of.

It’s Much More Likely to Contract Lymphoma

In the United States, leukemia is less common than lymphoma. The National Cancer Institute has stated that in 2024, there are likely to be 62,770 new cases of leukemia, which is smaller compared to almost 80,620 newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 8,570 cases of Hodgkin lymphoma.

Other factors which may result in an increased incidence of the disease are the risk factors for lymphoma. An assigned male at birth increases the risks for leukemia, whereas a child who is an assigned male at birth but has compromised immunity and easily catches infections has a predisposition to the disease, such as lymphoma.

Each cancer has affected different age groups.

Normally, leukemia and lymphoma attack different age groups. Leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer and accounts for 28% of all pediatric cancer cases in the US. Though leukemia is the leading cause of childhood cancer, individuals between the ages of 65 and 74 years also face a higher risk of contracting the disease.

However, adult-onset lymphoma is more common. Most cases of lymphoma occur in people older than 60. Although it can occur in children, lymphoma accounts for only 10% of all malignancies in the pediatric population, making it less common than leukemia.

Both cancers start in different parts of your body.

The initial stage for both leukemia and lymphoma are white blood cells called lymphocytes and myelocytes. These are part of your immune system. Leukemia usually starts in the bone marrow before spreading through the blood. Lymphoma typically starts in the spleen or the lymph nodes before spreading throughout the lymphatic system.

The diagnostic process is different for leukemia and lymphoma because of their distinct modes of dissemination. Both cause extremely high white blood cell counts, and a complete blood count is one of the most common blood tests used to diagnose both. A bone marrow or lymph node biopsy is usually necessary to diagnose lymphoma. To identify the type of leukemia they have, those with the disease will probably also require a bone marrow biopsy.

Comparable

There are many parallels between leukemia and lymphoma, two blood-related malignancies. The two diseases share similar symptoms, and treatments for the two tumors also resemble each other.

Immune System is Affected by Leukemia and Lymphoma

White blood cells are known as lymphocytes, and both leukemia and lymphoma affect the same. Since they belong to the immune system, these cells aid the human body in fighting infections. Mutated white blood cells, on account of leukemia, multiply and multiply excessively. That’s why the count of white blood cells is also high in the blood test reports of leukemia patients

.Lymphoma also brings about alterations in white blood cells. When the altered cells grow out of control, they unite to form tumors. In leukemia and lymphoma, healthy white blood cells are replaced by too many malignant cells. Therefore, patients with both types of cancers are more prone to infection.

The same ethnic groups are the ones affected by both cancers.

White people are more prone to leukemia and lymphoma. It has been observed that the highest incidence of lymphoma worldwide is reported in the United States and Europe.6. Although the cause of increased risk of blood cancer in white people is not known, a combination of environmental and hereditary factors may be involved. Blood cancer is more common among people with a family history of the disease as well as those exposed to specific substances such as radiation and tobacco.

The Treatment Plans Are Similar

Treatment protocols for leukemia and lymphoma are often the same because they affect the same type of blood cells. Treatments for both types of cancer include

• Chemotherapy: It delivers drugs that kill rapidly multiplying cells in the body to inhibit the multiplication of cancer cells.

• Radiation therapy: High-energy X-rays destroy cancer cells.

• Bone marrow transplant: It replaces healthy stem cells by infusion of a donor’s infusion.

The specifics of your treatment strategy will be determined by your needs and the severity of your ailment. In addition to the three previously mentioned treatments, leukemia patients may also benefit from monoclonal antibody therapy. This therapy employs immune system proteins to bind to cancer cells and prevent their growth. To react to cancer cells, patients with lymphoma may also require immunotherapy and radioimmunotherapy.

Yes, it is possible to have lymphoma and leukemia.

Sometimes leukemia and lymphoma may develop side by side. But typically these diseases do not develop alongside each other. There are numerous treatments for cancers. This increases the opportunity for new tumor formation due to Radiation as well as Chemotherapy treatments. In theory, though leukemia may be the result of Lymphoma treatment.

Who to Call and When to Seek Care

You should first contact your doctor for primary care if you’re experiencing symptoms of either lymphoma or leukemia. In case you experience one of the following, seek immediate care:

• Fever alone or without any other signs of illness or infection

• Night sweating

• Intense weakness

• Unintended loss of weight

• Minor bleeding or easy bruising

• Enlarged lymph nodes

Your main care physician can send you to other specialists and learn more about your condition. You will likely work with a hematologist-a physician who specializes in blood diseases-and an oncologist-a physician who specializes in cancer-if you are diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma. They can guide your treatment and monitor your progress as you recover from cancer.

A Brief Overview

Two common blood cancers that affect white blood cells are leukemia and lymphoma. While these diseases affect the same organs in your body and share many similar symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, and night sweats, there are several important differences. Lymphoma is more common than leukemia, and it can occur at any age. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of either disease, contact a healthcare professional immediately for treatment.