What is the Difference Between Lymphoma and Lymphedema

The key difference between lymphoma and lymphedema is that lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, while lymphedema is a medical condition that causes swelling up of part of the body due to lymph fluid blockage in tissues.

Lymphoma and lymphedema are two lymphatic disorders. Lymphatic disorders refer to diseases that affect the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of tissues, vessels, and organs that move a specific fluid called lymphatic fluid throughout the immune system. This system plays a pivotal role in maintaining the body’s immune system.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Lymphoma 
3. What is Lymphedema
4. Similarities – Lymphoma and Lymphedema
5. Lymphoma vs Lymphedema in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Lymphoma vs Lymphedema

What is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma refers to a cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. It is the sixth most common form of cancer overall worldwide. There are two main types as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for 90% of lymphomas, while Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for 10% of the lymphomas. The signs and symptoms lymphoma may include painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin, persistent fatigue or weakness, fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, unexpected weight loss, and itchy skin. Lymphoma is caused due to a genetic mutation in white blood cells or lymphocytes. The risk factors for lymphoma are age (people over 55 are affected more), being male, having an impaired immune system, and developing certain infections such as Epstein-Barr virus and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Moreover, lymphoma can be diagnosed through physical examination, removing a lymph node for testing (lymph node biopsy), blood test, removing a sample of bone marrow for testing (bone marrow biopsy), and imaging tests (CT, MRI, and positron emission tomography (PET). Furthermore, treatment options for lymphoma include active surveillance, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, and other treatments (chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy).

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a medical condition that causes swelling up of part of the body due to lymph fluid blockage in tissues. It is one of the most common lymphatic disorders. It is also defined as the swelling of body parts due to an accumulation of protein-rich fluid that is normally drained by the lymphatic system of the human body. The common body parts that are swelled by lymph fluid may include arms, legs, chest wall, abdomen, neck, and genitals. The signs and symptoms of lymphedema include swelling of arms, and legs (including fingers and toes), a feeling of heaviness or tightness, restricted range of motion, recurring infections, and hardening and thickening of skin called fibrosis. The common causes of lymphedema are cancer, radiation treatment for cancer, surgery, and parasites. Moreover, risk factors for lymphedema are older age, excess weight (obesity), and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.

Lymphedema can be diagnosed through physical examination, MRI scan, CT scan, ultrasound, and lymphoscintigraphy. Furthermore, treatment options for lymphedema may include therapy (exercises, manual lymph drainage, compression bandages and garments, and sequential pneumatic compression), surgery, and other procedures (lymph node transplant, new drainage path, and removal of fibrous tissue).

What are the Similarities Between Lymphoma and Lymphedema?

• Lymphoma and lymphedema are two lymphatic disorders.
• Both conditions are caused due to problems in the lymphatic system.
• They are characterized by swelling of body parts.
• Both conditions may lead to complications.
• They can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
• They can be treated through specific surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Lymphoma and Lymphedema?

Lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, while lymphedema is a medical condition that causes swelling up of part of the body due to lymph fluid blockage in tissues. Thus, this is the key difference between lymphoma and lymphedema. Furthermore, the risk factors for lymphoma include age (people over 55 affected more), being male, having an impaired immune system, and developing certain infections such as Epstein-Barr virus and Helicobacter pylori infection. On the other hand, the risk factors for lymphedema include older age, excess weight (obesity), and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.

The following table summarizes the difference between lymphoma and lymphedema.

Summary –  Lymphoma vs Lymphedema

The lymphatic system is a network of delicate tubes. It drains lymph fluid which has leaked from the blood vessels into the tissues, and empties it back into the bloodstream through lymph nodes. The disorders that affect the lymphatic system are called lymphatic disorders. Lymphoma and lymphedema are two lymphatic disorders. Lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the lymphatic system. Lymphedema is a medical condition that causes swelling up of part of the body due to lymph fluid blockage in tissues. So, this summarizes the difference between lymphoma and lymphedema.

Reference:

1. “Lymphoma.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Lymphedema: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Diagram showing stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma CRUK 208” By Cancer Research UK – Original email from CRUK (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Lymphedema” By Bobjgalindo – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia