Leukemia vs. Lymphoma
In 2009, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 139,860 Americans will be diagnosed with some form of leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma, and 53,240 of them will die. However, there are 912,938 people at any given time in the U.S. either in remission or living with one for these diseases. Leukemia and Lymphoma are similar because they are cancers of the blood. Within the blood are uncontrolled growth cells that impede the healthy cells from growing. Although they are lumped together when discussed, there are differences.
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Leukemia
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The reasons why leukemia occurs in certain individuals over others is unknown. Leukemia starts in the soft tissue of the bone, or what is called bone marrow. When bone marrow is healthy, the blood cells within the marrow help the body perform various functions. For instance, platelets help the blood clot or stop after a cut or bruise. White blood cells fight infections and red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. In people with leukemia, there is constant growth of abnormal cells that crowd out the normal cells and stop them from growing.
Types and Symptoms
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There are four types of leukemia. With chronic leukemia, the disease progresses over time. Symptoms may not occur for years. Acute leukemia, on the other hand, happens rapidly and makes a person immediately sick. Myelogenous leukemia affects the myelocytes' white blood cells. Lymphocytic leukemia affects lymphocytes' white blood cells. Although symptoms depend on the type of leukemia individuals have, there are nine common symptoms. For instance, individuals with the disease bruise or bleed easily, are extremely tired and have an enlarged spleen, which causes a swollen belly and headaches.
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Lymphoma
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Lymphoma starts in the lymph nodes, lymphatic tissue in the intestines and stomach. Although there are approximately 35 types of lymphoma diseases, there are two categories. With non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cells can divide or grow along with the normal cells. These cells can spread to the other parts of the body like the spleen or liver. Hodgkin's disease is distinguished by the Reed-Sternberg cells.
Symptoms
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Is not known what causes Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The most common symptom of Non-Hodgkin's is painless swelling in the lymph nodes. However, there are eight other symptoms including extreme fatigue, itchy skin and shortness of breath. The Hodgkin's disease symptoms can include fever and chills in addition to the symptoms above.
Treatment
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Treatment for people with leukemia depends on their specific form, age, the advancement of the disease and health. Acute leukemia, with treatment, can go into remission. But it can return. Chronic leukemia can be controlled rather than go into remission. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be treated in four ways. For instance, doctors can use stem-cell transplant with chemotherapy, radiation, chemotherapy only and surveillance. Hodgkin's disease is the most curable of the two diseases. The most common treatment for Hodgkin's disease is chemotherapy with radiation.
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