Lymphoma vs Leukemia: Key Differences Patients Should Know
Lymphoma and Leukaemia are types of blood cancer. They are often confused and used
interchangeably. However, the differences in their originating sites and symptoms set them apart for
understanding.
Lymphoma: What is it and what are its symptoms?
Lymphoma typically originates in lymph nodes or other areas of the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes
are small glands that filter out harmful substances. They contain lymphocytes which help the body
fight infection and disease. Lymphocytes make antibodies that help kill tumour cells or control body’s
immune response. Lymphoma activates the body to overproduce the lymphocytes.
Symptoms may include fevers, shortness of breath, cough, itchy skin and even some aggressive signs
like excessive weight loss and night sweats.
Leukaemia: What is it and what are its symptoms?
Leukaemia, on the other hand, is cancer of blood cells that typically originates in bone marrow and
travels through the bloodstream. The bone marrow produces mutated white blood cells, called
lymphocytes, that tend to populate the bloodstream and push away healthy blood cells. Leukaemia
occurs in many forms, but typically diagnosed as either acute or chronic. Acute leukaemia is rapidgrowing and requires immediate intervention, but chronic leukaemia builds up rather slowly.
Symptoms include pale skin, red spots on the skin and frequent infections.
Treatment options for Leukaemia and Lymphoma
Common treatment options for both, leukaemia and lymphoma, include – chemotherapy, radiation
or stem cell transplants.
- Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells
- Radiation uses high-frequency waves to shrink tumour and kill cancer cells
- Stem cell transplants involve replacement of diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells
to enable growth of new bone marrow - Targeted therapy uses drugs that target and fight specific cancer cells and immunotherapy
helps the patient’s immune system to destroy and fight cancer cells
Apart from these common treatment options, for leukaemia, monoclonal antibody therapy is also
used which provides a targeted approach to destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. The
lab-made proteins attach to specific antigens on the surface of leukaemia cells and aid their
destruction by the body’s immune system.
For lymphoma, photopheresis and phototherapy are other treatment options. Phototherapy uses a
light-sensitive drug and a specific light source to destroy cancer cells. Photopheresis is a type of
immunotherapy used to modify white blood cells outside of the body to fight the cancer cells.
Hence, treatment planning depends upon the stage and degree of spread of cancer. At Yashoda
Superspeciality Hospital & Cancer Institutes, Sanjay Nagar, Ghaziabad we are equipped with a highly
skilled network of oncologists who specialise in bone marrow transplant and blood cancer patients.
Dr. (Maj. Gen.) B.N. Kapur is the Director of Medical Oncology at Yashoda Hospital, Sanjay
Nagar, Ghaziabad and is one of the best oncologists in Delhi NCR. He is skilled in treating
solid organ cancer using latest evidence-based therapies and specialises in Hematolymphoid
malignancy, paediatric tumour, bone marrow transplantation, and all solid tumours including all
kinds of blood cancers.
For bookings or appointments, you may reach out to us on the given toll-free numbers –
9810709038/0120-4612000.
