Cancer can affect any part of the body, including the blood. There are different kinds of blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Among these, leukemia and lymphoma might sound similar, but they are vastly different in terms of their causes, symptoms, as well as treatments.
For one thing, leukemia mostly affects young children (1 out of 3 cancers), but lymphoma is usually diagnosed in older people (about half of the patients are over 65).
While both leukemia and lymphoma are caused by the abnormal multiplication of white blood cells in the body, the main difference between leukemia and lymphoma is that leukemia originates in the bone marrow, whereas lymphoma impacts the lymph nodes and the lymphatic system. Unlike lymphoma, which causes tumors in the lymph nodes, there are no visible swellings caused by leukemia.
In this article, we aim to discuss the causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatments of both types of blood cancers.
Leukemia - Leukemia is caused when the white blood cells multiply abnormally fast. There are not enough red blood cells, which impacts your health severely since all the parts of your body depend on the red blood cells for receiving oxygen and nutrients.
Symptoms of leukemia include fever, fatigue, recurring infections, easy bruising and bleeding, and nosebleeds.
Lymphoma – The exact cause of lymphoma is unknown, but in this blood cancer, a type of blood cell called the lymphocytes mutate into cancer cells.
The biggest tell-tale symptoms of lymphoma are painless swollen lymph nodes, fever, sudden and unexplained weight loss, excessive fatigue, breathlessness, itchy skin, and night sweats.
The risk factors of leukemia are:
The treatment of leukemia depends on several factors, such as age, stage of cancer, and the kind of leukemia. The most common first line of treatment is usually chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Your doctor may also consider a bone marrow transplant or immunotherapy.
The treatment for lymphoma also depends on many factors, including the stage of cancer and the kind of lymphoma. Treatment options may include a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, and immunotherapy.
Being diagnosed with cancer can be scary. However, the chances of remission are high if you are diagnosed early and receive the right treatment. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, contact an oncologist immediately.
Whether it’s leukemia or lymphoma, you can contact us at Chesapeake Oncology Hematology Associates to discuss your treatment options with our experienced oncologists. With state-of-art facilities and decades of experience, we are committed to treating every cancer patient with dedication and professionalism.
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