Symptoms of Leukemia

Lymphoma vs Leukemia

Both are cancers that affect a part of a human’s immune system. The immune system is a broad set of systems made of several types of cells. Leukemia and Lymphoma are diseases of compromised immune system caused by tumor growth and their distinction lies in which cells are initially affected.

Leukemia — from the Greek word “leukos”, meaning “clear or white”, and “haima or emia” which refers to blood — is a broad term covering a disease which is characterized by an abnormal production of anomalous white blood cells. It is a cancer of the blood cells or bone marrow with numerous types and classifications. Leukemia usually comes from cells of the myeloid system that are made in the bone marrow. When tumor cells are found in the circulating blood, by definition, it is leukemia.

Lymphoma, on the other hand, is a tumor of the lymph nodes that causes lymph nodes to expand. In essence, the abnormal condition starts from the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a part of the body’s immune system to fight infection. An invasion of other organs occurs caused by lymphoid tissues appearing where it should not. There are two major types of Lymphoma, the Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

In leukemia, the damaged bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells which are called leukemia cells. These leukemia cells do not die when they should, thus overcrowding the system. They will ultimately crowd out the normal blood cells and inhibit their function.

A lack of blood platelets, which are important in the blood clotting process, will result. This means individuals with leukemia may bruised easily and bleed excessively. Paleness, weakness, and fatigue are common symptoms. However, chronic leukemia has no early telling symptoms.

Conversely, lymphoma sufferers may have symptoms similar to people with leukemia but the distinctively, people with lymphoma have painful swelling of the lymph nodes in neck, armpits or groin. Sometimes, these are the only symptoms and they start very early.

Summary:
1. Leukemia is a tumor or cancer of blood cells or bone marrow while lymphoma is a cancer that starts in the lymph nodes or the lymphatic system
2. Leukemia produces abnormal white blood cells that crowd out normal blood cells which inhibits the normal functions of the immune system. Lymphoma invades other organs by unnecessary and uncontrollable growth of lymphoid tissue.
3. Leukemia sufferers have symptoms typical of other cancers and may have no early telling symptoms especially if chronic. Lymphoma will often have telling signs of swollen lymph nodes in neck, armpits or groin which is frequently painful.