Health Care Encyclopedia
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Primary lymphoma of the brainDefinition: A brain lymphoma is a type of malignancy (cancer). The term "primary" in this case means the cancer seems to have originated in the brain, not spread from somewhere else in the body.
Alternative Names: Brain lymphoma; Cerebral lymphoma; Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system; Lymphoma - brain
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: The cause of primary brain lymphoma is unknown, but it is more common in people between the ages of 45 and 70. Patients who are immunocompromised, such those with HIV or organ transplants, especially heart transplants, are at greater risk for primary lymphoma of the brain. In immunocompromised patients, the lymphoma is linked to Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection. The incidence is rising, but primary brain lymphoma is still relatively rare.
Symptoms: - Personality changes
- Confusion
- Changes in speech
- Changes in vision
- Weakness in hands
- Numbness to hot, cold, and pain
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
Signs and tests: The following tests may be performed to help diagnose a primary lymphoma of the brain:
Treatment: The initial treatment is usually with corticosteroids. However, chemotherapy increases survival in many individuals up to 3-4 years, or longer. The chemotherapy is primarily high-dose methotrexate given intravenously or via the spinal cord. Treatment of immunocompromised patients is not as successful, but is improving. Radiation therapy used to be the main treatment for this lymphoma, but now is usually reserved for treating those patients in whom chemotherapy is not successful.
Expectations (prognosis): The survival of untreated primary brain lymphoma is under 2 months. Treated with chemotherapy, patients often survive 3-4 years or more. About 40% of patients are alive at 5 years. In general, older patients have a worse outlook than younger patients.
Complications: Possible complications include: - Radiation side effects, including confusion, headaches, neurologic problems, and tissue death
- Chemotherapy side effects, including low blood counts
- Recurrence of the lymphoma
Calling your health care provider:
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| Review Date: 8/12/2004
Reviewed By: Stephen Grund, M.D. Ph.D., Chief of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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