Lymphoma and myeloma are both cancers of the lymphatic system, a vital network that helps the body fight infections. Despite this similarity, they originate from different cell types, exhibit distinct symptoms, and require different treatments. Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management.
Key Difference: Cell Origin
The primary difference between lymphoma and myeloma is the type of cell they affect:
- Lymphoma originates in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell responsible for immune defense. These include B-cells, T-cells, and natural killer cells. Lymphomas can be classified as Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, each with different subtypes. These cancers typically develop in lymph nodes but can affect other lymphatic tissues and organs.
- Myeloma develops in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell derived from B-lymphocytes. Plasma cells reside in the bone marrow and produce antibodies to fight infections. In multiple myeloma, these plasma cells become cancerous, multiply uncontrollably, and produce abnormal antibodies, leading to complications.
Symptoms: Quick Facts
Lymphoma and myeloma share some symptoms but also have distinct characteristics. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Lymphoma Symptoms:
- Painless, swollen lymph nodes (neck, armpits, or groin)
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fatigue
- Organ-specific symptoms depending on the affected area1
Myeloma Symptoms:
- Bone pain and fractures
- High calcium levels (hypercalcemia)
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Kidney problems
- Increased risk of infections2
Diagnosis: Identifying the Disease
Diagnosing lymphoma often requires a lymph node biopsy to determine the cancer subtype, along with CT or PET scans to assess the extent of disease spread.3 In contrast, myeloma diagnosis typically involves a combination of blood and urine tests to detect abnormal proteins, a bone marrow biopsy to examine plasma cells, and imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI to assess bone damage.4
Treatment Approaches
Treatment for lymphoma and myeloma differs significantly due to their distinct nature:
- Lymphoma treatment depends on the specific subtype and stage. Options include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted drugs
- Stem cell transplantation5
- Myeloma treatment generally involves:
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapies
- Immunomodulatory drugs
- Stem cell transplantation6
Risk Factors and Prevention
The exact causes of lymphoma and myeloma remain unclear, but certain factors increase the risk. Lymphoma risk factors vary by subtype but may include autoimmune conditions, infections like HIV or Epstein-Barr virus, and exposure to chemicals such as pesticides.7 For myeloma, risk factors include advanced age, male gender, and African American ethnicity, as myeloma is twice as common in African Americans compared to White people. While no definitive prevention strategies exist, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding known risk factors may help reduce the risk.
References
- Swerdlow, S. H., Campo, E., Harris, N. L., Jaffe, E. S., Pileri, S. A., Stein, H., … & Gascoyne, R. D. (2017). WHO classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues (Revised 4th edition). International Agency for Research on Cancer. https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/who-classification-of-tumours-of-haematopoietic-and-lymphoid-tissues-2/https://publications.iarc.fr/579
- Rajkumar, S. V., & Kumar, S. (2016). Multiple myeloma: Diagnosis, current treatments, and future directions. Seminars in Oncology, 43(2), 136–147. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26763514/https://doi.org/10.1053/j.seminoncol.2016.02.002
- Campo, E., Swerdlow, S. H., Harris, N. L., Jaffe, E. S., Pileri, S. A., Stein, H., … & Gascoyne, R. D. (2011). The 2008 WHO classification of lymphoid neoplasms and beyond. Blood, 117(19), 4715–4726. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15509819/https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2011-03-344442
- Kyle, R. A., & Rajkumar, S. V. (2004). Multiple myeloma. New England Journal of Medicine, 350(4), 371–379. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18332230/https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra022458
- National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment (PDQ®)–Patient version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/patient/adult-nhl-treatment-pdq
- Palumbo, A., Bringhen, S., Mateos, M. V., Larocca, R., Zweegman, S., Nooka, A. K., … & Dimopoulos, M. A. (2015). Multiple myeloma. The Lancet, 385(9972), 1121-1136. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60493-1
- Lymphoma Research Foundation. (n.d.). Risk factors. https://lymphoma.org/understanding-lymphoma/diagnosing-lymphoma/ https://lymphoma.org/
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