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Leukemia vs. lymphoma: What you need to know

By Naheed Ali, MD, PhD, ScD on behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | February 20, 2025

Table of contents

Hearing about lymphoma and leukemia can be confusing. Both are types of blood cancers that impact how your body works, but they’re not the same. If you or someone you care about is facing one of these conditions, understanding the difference between leukemia and lymphoma can help you feel more prepared and informed. 

What is leukemia? 

Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. It happens when the bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells. These cells don’t fight infections like healthy white blood cells do. The abnormal cells can also crowd out other important blood cells, like red blood cells that carry oxygen or platelets that help your blood clot (Chennamadhavuni et al. 2023). Cancer, in general, refers to any uncontrolled cell growth in the body, which can occur in various tissues and organs, including in the blood. 

Organs affected by leukemia 

Leukemia mainly affects the bone marrow and bloodstream, but it can also spread to other areas, like the lymph nodes, spleen, or liver. 

What is lymphoma? 

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects cells called lymphocytes. Lymphoma begins in the lymphatic system, a vital part of your immune system that helps protect your body from illness and infections. 

The lymphatic system is like your body’s "clean-up crew" and "security team." It’s made up of: 

  • Lymph nodes: Small, bean-shaped structures that filter harmful substances, like bacteria and viruses, from your body. 
  • Lymphatic vessels: A network of tubes, similar to blood vessels, that carry a fluid called lymph throughout your body. 
  • Lymph: A clear fluid that contains infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes. 
  • Other organs: These include the spleen, which filters blood and stores white blood cells, and the thymus, where certain lymphocytes mature. 

This system identifies and attacks anything it perceives as harmful, like germs or abnormal cells. When you have lymphoma, some lymphocytes grow out of control. Instead of protecting you, these abnormal cells build up and can form tumors in the lymph nodes or other parts of the lymphatic system, like the spleen or bone marrow. Over time, they may spread to other organs, making it harder for your immune system to do its job (Lymphoma 2021). 

Organs affected by lymphoma 

Lymphoma mainly affects the lymphatic system, but it can also impact the bone marrow, lungs, or liver. 

Differences between leukemia and lymphoma 

The difference between leukemia and lymphoma comes down to where these cancers begin and how they affect the body. 

How they’re different 

Leukemia starts in the bone marrow. In leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells that don’t function properly. These defective cells don’t die off like normal cells and instead multiply quickly. Over time, they flood the bloodstream and crowd out healthy red blood cells and platelets, which can lead to problems like: 

  • Anemia: When your red blood cell count is too low; makes you feel tired and weak. 
  • Frequent infections: Because the abnormal white blood cells can’t fight germs properly. 
  • Easy bleeding or bruising: Due to a lack of platelets, which help your blood clot. 

Leukemia doesn’t typically form tumors because it spreads through the blood. Its main effect is disrupting the production and balance of blood cells, which are essential for carrying oxygen, fighting infections, and stopping bleeding (Leukemia 2022). 

Lymphoma, on the other hand, begins in the lymphatic system, which is a critical part of your immune system. Unlike leukemia, lymphoma usually forms tumors. These tumors happen in the lymph nodes or other parts of the lymphatic system, such as the spleen or thymus. These tumors can sometimes be felt as painless lumps under the skin, especially in the neck, armpits, or groin (Jamil and Mukkamalla 2023). 

Over time, lymphoma can spread to other parts of the body, including the bone marrow, lungs, or liver. This spread can disrupt how these organs work and weaken the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to infections. 

Is lymphoma a form of leukemia? 

No, lymphoma is not a form of leukemia. While both are blood cancers, they start in different places and behave differently. 

Differences in frequency 

  • Leukemia is slightly less common than lymphoma.  
  • Leukemia makes up about 3.5% of cancers in the U.S (Siegel, Miller, and Jemal 2018). 
  • Lymphoma makes up about 5% of cancers in the U.S. (Siegel et al. 2023). 

Who is most at risk for getting leukemia or lymphoma? 

  • Leukemia: Leukemia is the most common cancer in children, especially acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). However, most leukemia cases occur in adults aged 65-74 (“Leukemia - Cancer Stat Facts,” n.d.). 
  • Lymphoma: Lymphoma is rare in children (only 10% of childhood cancers) and mostly affects people over 55 (Siegel et al. 2023). 

Which is worse: leukemia or lymphoma? 

The severity of leukemia or lymphoma depends on the type and stage, so it’s not possible to say that one is always worse than the other. Some forms of leukemia and lymphoma are aggressive, while others progress slowly. With advancements in treatment, many people with leukemia, lymphoma and other forms of blood cancer live long, healthy lives after being diagnosed. 

Types of leukemias and lymphomas 

There are many different types of leukemia and lymphoma, and each behaves in unique ways. Some types of leukemia and lymphoma include the following (Chennamadhavuni et al. 2023) (Lymphoma 2021): 

Types of leukemia 

Leukemia is classified into various types based on how quickly the disease progresses and the kind of blood cells it affects. "Acute" leukemias are aggressive, developing rapidly, while "chronic" leukemias progress more slowly. 

Additionally, leukemias are described as "lymphocytic" or "myeloid" depending on whether they affect lymphoid cells or myeloid cells, which are different types of cells in the blood. While the types listed here are the most common, there are other forms of leukemia that vary in characteristics and treatment approaches. 

Types of lymphoma 

Lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system, is generally classified into two main types based on the cellular composition and behavior of the disease. These classifications help guide treatment decisions and have implications for prognosis. Here are the two primary categories: 

  • Hodgkin lymphoma (HL): Identified by the presence of a specific cells called the Reed-Sternberg cells, which are large, abnormal lymphocytes that can be detected under a microscope. The presence of these cells is critical for diagnosis and often influences the treatment approach. Hodgkin lymphoma is highly treatable, especially when caught early, and has a favorable prognosis. 
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL): Encompasses a diverse group of lymphomas that do not contain Reed-Sternberg cells. This category is remarkably varied, including both indolent (slow-growing) and aggressive forms, and features over 100 different subtypes. This diversity affects prognosis and treatment strategies, as different subtypes respond to different types of treatment. 

Risk factors for leukemia and lymphoma 

While anyone can develop leukemias and lymphomas, certain factors increase the risk (Versluis et al. 2018) (National Cancer Institute (US) 2023). 

Leukemia Risk Factors 

  • Radiation exposure: This generally does not mean the levels you would encounter during routine medical procedures. However, sometimes radiation therapy given to treat cancer—though precise and purposeful—can increase risk of getting a second cancer. Significant exposure from nuclear accidents are considered high levels of exposure that could also affect future risk. 
  • Chemical exposure: Contact with substances like benzene, a substance found in industrial environments that is used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, rubber lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. 
  • Smoking: Linked to some forms of leukemia, especially AML. 

Lymphoma Risk Factors 

  • Weakened immune system: Conditions like HIV or autoimmune diseases. 
  • Infections: Viruses like Epstein-Barr or hepatitis. 
  • Age: Lymphoma is more common in older adults. 
  • Family history: A close relative with lymphoma slightly increases your chances of getting lymphoma. 
  • Gene mutations: Certain gene mutations—for instance, mutations in the B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) gene—can increase the risk of developing lymphoma. 

Symptoms of Leukemia and Lymphoma 

Leukemia Symptoms 

  • Frequent infections: Abnormal white blood cells don’t work properly. 
  • Bruising or bleeding: Low platelets make it hard for blood to clot. 
  • Fatigue: Anemia caused by low red blood cells leads to tiredness. 
  • Bone or joint pain: Leukemia cells crowd the bone marrow.  

Lymphoma Symptoms 

  • Swollen lymph nodes: Often painless, they can appear in the neck, armpits, or groin. 
  • Night sweats: Heavy sweating while sleeping is common. 
  • Fever: A low-grade fever that doesn’t go away. 
  • Unexplained weight loss: Often one of the first signs of lymphoma. 
  • Fatigue: The immune system working overtime can leave you drained. 

Diagnosing Leukemia and Lymphoma 

If a person experiences symptoms that could suggest leukemia or lymphoma, a doctor will take several steps to determine the cause. They will start by asking detailed questions about the symptoms, such as when they began, how severe they are, and whether they’ve been getting worse. The doctor will also inquire about personal and family medical history to identify potential risk factors or genetic links. Based on this information, the doctor will likely order any of the following medical tests: 

  • Blood tests: Checks for abnormal blood cell counts or other markers. 
  • Bone marrow biopsy: Removes a small sample of bone marrow to check for leukemia cells. 
  • Tissue biopsy: Examines lymph node tissue to confirm lymphoma. 

Treatment Options for Leukemia and Lymphoma 

Treatment for leukemia and lymphoma varies depending on the type and stage, but some common options include: 

  • Chemotherapy: Powerful drugs kill cancer cells or stop their growth. Because chemotherapy targets any cells multiplying quickly, it can also damage healthy cells. 
  • Targeted therapies: Focus on specific proteins in cancer cells to block their growth with less chance of damaging healthy cells. 
  • Antibody treatments: Lab-made proteins mimic parts of the human immune system to help it fight cancer. 
  • Stem cell transplants: Replace damaged bone marrow with healthy cells. 
  • Radiation therapy: High-energy beams target and shrink cancer cells. 
  • Watch and wait: For some forms of leukemia and lymphoma, especially slower-growing types, a "watch and wait" approach may be recommended. This strategy involves close monitoring without immediate treatment. 

Supporting someone with blood cancer 

If someone you care about has leukemia or lymphoma, your support can make a big difference. Here are some ways to help: 

  • Listen: Be a shoulder to lean on and let them express their feelings. 
  • Learn: Educate yourself about their condition so you can better understand what they’re going through. 
  • Help with daily tasks: Offer to cook, clean, or drive them to appointments. 
  • Stay positive: Your encouragement can help them stay hopeful. 

How LLS supports people with blood cancer 

Through research, patient support, and education, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) helps individuals and families facing leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers. 

  • Funding research: LLS is the largest nonprofit funder of cutting-edge research for every type of blood cancer. We invest strategically in a broad range of research initiatives to drive scientific breakthroughs that improve and save the lives of patients. 
  • Providing support: LLS provides assistance when you need it most, from financial aid, finding clinical trials, discussing your diagnosis and treatment choices, to nutrition consultations. 
  • Policy and advocacy: The goal of the policy agenda supported by LLS's Office of Public Policy (OPP) is to expedite the discovery of novel cancer treatments and remove the obstacles that patients frequently face in accessing care. 
  • Raising awareness: LLS spreads knowledge about blood cancers to empower patients and families. 

Your support for LLS fuels this life-saving work. Every dollar brings us closer to cures for leukemia and lymphoma. 

Take Action Today 

Leukemia and lymphoma are tough battles, but you’re not alone. With LLS, you have access to resources, support, and hope. By learning about these diseases and supporting vital research, you’re making a difference. 

About the author: Dr. Ali is a medical journalist and copywriter. 

 

Sources 

Chennamadhavuni, Adithya, Varun Lyengar, Shiva Kumar R. Mukkamalla, and Alex Shimanovsky. 2023. “Leukemia.” StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. January 17, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560490.

Lymphoma. 2021. Exon Publications eBooks. https://doi.org/10.36255/exon-publications.lymphoma.2021.&nbsp;

Leukemia. 2022. Exon Publications eBooks. https://doi.org/10.36255/exon-publications-leukemia.&nbsp;

Jamil, Ayesha, and Shiva Kumar R. Mukkamalla. 2023. “Lymphoma.” StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. July 17, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560826.&nbsp;

Siegel, Rebecca L., Kimberly D. Miller, and Ahmedin Jemal. 2018. “Cancer statistics, 2018.” CA a Cancer Journal for Clinicians 68 (1): 7–30. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21442.&nbsp;

Siegel, Rebecca L., Kimberly D. Miller, Nikita Sandeep Wagle, and Ahmedin Jemal. 2023. “Cancer statistics, 2023.” CA a Cancer Journal for Clinicians 73 (1): 17–48. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21763.&nbsp;

“Leukemia - Cancer Stat Facts.” n.d. SEER. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/leuks.html.&nbsp;

Versluis, Jurjen, Jan J. Cornelissen, Charles Craddock, Miguel Á. Sanz, Jonathan Canaani, and Arnon Nagler. 2018. “Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Adults.” In Springer eBooks, 507–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02278-5_69.&nbsp;

National Cancer Institute (US). 2023. “Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment (PDQ®).” PDQ Cancer Information Summaries - NCBI Bookshelf. May 18, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK66057.&nbsp;