How is NHL different from some leukemias?
Some NHLs resemble certain leukemias known as lymphoid leukemias. Nonetheless, there are differences as well. Most NHLs arise within a lymph node or solid organ and do not release large numbers of easily detectable cancerous cells into the bloodstream, whereas most leukemias arise in the bone marrow and circulate readily in the bloodstream. In spite of these differences, the lymphoblastic and small lymphocytic NHLs are very similar to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). At times, diagnostic efforts are unable to differentiate these illnesses, and the patient is described as having NHL/ALL or NHL/CLL. Indeed, the new REAL classification system of lymphomas includes some leukemias such as CLL, lymphoblastic leukemia, and plasma-cell multiple myeloma (MM) as neoplasms related to NHL.
