What's the Difference Between Leukemia and Lymphoma?

Leukemia and lymphoma are two common types of blood cancers. Leukemia affects the white blood cells (WBCs) that fight infection, while lymphoma develops in the lymphatic system and also affects certain white blood cells. Leukemia causes cancer cells to circulate in the bloodstream, and lymphoma causes cancer cells to bind together and form tumors. Symptoms of both cancers are very similar, but key differences include who is affected and how these conditions are diagnosed.

Symptoms of Leukemia and Lymphoma

Symptoms of leukemia and lymphoma tend to look very similar. Generally, both conditions affect similar organs. Leukemia affects blood-forming organs, including the bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. Lymphoma also affects these organs, as well as the tonsils, part of the respiratory tract, and mucous membranes. Here's a breakdown of how the symptoms of both conditions compare and contrast:

Differences

Leukemia and lymphoma have many similarities, including the blood cells they affect and the symptoms they cause. There are also some key differences to be aware of.

Lymphoma Is More Common

More people in the United States experience lymphoma than leukemia. The National Cancer Institute estimates that there will be about 80,620 new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 8,570 new cases of Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed in 2024, compared to 62,770 new leukemia cases. 

Why lymphoma is more common could have something to do with the risk factors for the condition. Risk factors for leukemia include having certain genetic conditions like Down syndrome and being assigned male at birth. However, you may be at an increased risk of lymphoma if you have a weakened immune system, experience frequent infections, and are assigned male at birth. 

Each Cancer Affects Different Age Groups

Leukemia and lymphoma typically affect different age groups. Leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer in the United States and makes up 28% of all pediatric cancer cases. While leukemia affects children, adults between the ages of 65 and 74 also have a higher risk of developing the condition. 

Lymphoma, however, is more common in adults. Most lymphoma cases occur in people over the age of 60. While lymphoma can affect children, it tends to be less common than leukemia cases—causing about 10% of all pediatric cancers. 

However, there are subtypes of both cancers, and these subtypes can also affect different age groups. For example, chronic leukemias are more likely to affect older adults. Hodgkin lymphoma is the less common type of lymphoma and usually affects younger adults between the ages of 15 and 40. 

Both Cancers Start in Different Parts of Your Body

Leukemia and lymphoma both start in white blood cells known as lymphocytes and myelocytes, which are part of your immune system. In most cases, leukemia starts in the bone marrow and then spreads through the bloodstream. However, lymphoma usually develops in the lymph nodes or the spleen and then spreads through the lymphatic system. 

Because leukemia and lymphoma spread differently, the diagnostic process is different. Both cause a very high number of white blood cells and are often diagnosed with a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). A lymphoma diagnosis usually requires a lymph node or bone marrow biopsy. People with leukemia will also likely need a bone marrow biopsy to determine which type of leukemia they have. 

Similarities

Leukemia and lymphoma are blood-related cancers that share many similarities. In addition to similar symptoms, there is overlap in how the two cancers are treated and monitored. 

Leukemia and Lymphoma Affect the Immune System

Leukemia and lymphoma both affect white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are part of the immune system and play a role in fighting infection in the body. Leukemia causes mutations in the white blood cells, and this causes them to grow and multiply too quickly. That is why people with leukemia have high white blood cell counts when they have a blood test. 

Lymphoma also causes mutations in the white blood cells. When the mutated cells grow at an out-of-control rate, they bind together and form tumors. In both leukemia and lymphoma, the overabundance of cancer cells crowds out the healthy white blood cells. This leads to an increased risk of infection in people with both types of cancer. 

Both Cancers Affect the Same Ethnic Groups

Both leukemia and lymphoma are more common in white people. Studies show that the U.S. and Europe have the highest rates of lymphoma in the world. Researchers are not certain why white people are at higher risk of blood cancer, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors can play a role. People who have a family history of blood cancer and those who have been exposed to certain chemicals like tobacco and radiation also experience blood cancer at higher rates. 

The Treatment Plans Are Similar

Because leukemia and lymphoma affect the same type of blood cells, their treatment plans are often similar. Treatment options for both cancers include:

• Chemotherapy: Gives medications that stop the growth of cancer cells by killing fast-growing cells in the body
• Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells
• Bone marrow transplant: Replaces healthy stem cells with an infusion from a donor

However, your exact treatment plan will depend on your needs and the severity of your condition. In addition to the three treatments above, people with leukemia can benefit from monoclonal antibody therapy, which uses immune system proteins to attach to cancer cells and keep them from growing. People with lymphoma may also need immunotherapy and radioimmunotherapy to respond to cancer cells.

Can You Have Both Leukemia and Lymphoma?

While it is possible to have both leukemia and lymphoma, having the two conditions at the same time is rare. Many cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, increase the risk of future cancers. That said, it is technically possible to develop leukemia as a result of lymphoma treatment. 

When To Seek Care and Who to Contact

If you're experiencing symptoms of leukemia or lymphoma, it's important to talk to your primary care provider first. You should seek immediate care if you're experiencing symptoms such as:

• Fevers with no illness or other symptoms
• Night sweats
  
• Severe fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Swollen lymph nodes

Your primary care provider can learn more about your condition and refer you to other specialists. If you receive a diagnosis for leukemia or lymphoma, you'll likely be working with an oncologist (a doctor who specializes in cancer) and a hematologist (a doctor who specializes in blood disorders). They can guide your treatment plan and monitor your progress as you recover from cancer.

A Quick Review

Leukemia and lymphoma are two common types of blood cancers that affect the white blood cells. While these conditions cause similar symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, and night sweats, and affect similar organs in your body, there are some key differences. Lymphoma is more common than leukemia, and both cancers also affect different age groups. If you think you're experiencing symptoms of either condition, see a healthcare provider urgently for support.