What is the Difference Between Leukemia and Myeloma?

Leukemia and myeloma are both types of blood cancer, but they differ in the cells they affect and their characteristics. Here are the key differences between leukemia and myeloma:

1. Affected Cells: Leukemia begins in the bone marrow and produces abnormal leukocytes (white blood cells). In contrast, myeloma develops in the bone marrow and produces abnormal plasma cells.
2. Circulation: Unlike leukemia, where cancerous cells circulate in the bloodstream, myeloma cells typically stay in the bone marrow.
3. Symptoms: Leukemia symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss, easy bleeding, and bruising, while myeloma symptoms may involve bone pain, confusion, constipation, extreme thirst, and nausea.
4. Treatment: The treatments for leukemia and myeloma are different. For leukemia, treatments may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, and surgery. Myeloma treatments often involve systemic treatments to destroy the cancer cells, as the disease is distributed throughout the bone marrow.

In summary, leukemia and myeloma are both blood cancers, but they affect different types of blood cells and have distinct characteristics. The symptoms and treatments for these diseases also vary.

Comparative Table: Leukemia vs Myeloma

The main differences between leukemia and myeloma are the types of blood cells they affect and their origins in the bone marrow. Here is a table comparing the two:

Leukemia is a fast-growing cancer that affects various types of blood cells, such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. On the other hand, myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, which are responsible for producing antibodies to fight diseases. While both leukemia and myeloma are cancers of the bone marrow, they affect different types of blood cells and have distinct symptoms.