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What Is Primary central nervous system lymphoma
Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph tissue of the brain and/or spinal cord.
Lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system. The lymph system is part of the immune system and is made up of the lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils, and bone marrow. Lymphocytes (carried in the lymph) travel in and out of the central nervous system (CNS). It is thought that some of these lymphocytes become malignant and cause lymphoma to form in the CNS. Primary CNS lymphoma can start in the brain, spinal cord, or meninges (the layers that form the outer covering of the brain). Because the eye is so close to the brain, primary CNS lymphoma can also start in the eye (called ocular lymphoma).
Lymphoma Picture
Having a weakened immune system may increase the risk of developing primary CNS lymphoma.
Primary CNS lymphoma may occur in patients who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or other disorders of the immune system or who have had a kidney transplant. For more information about lymphoma in patients with AIDS, refer to the PDQ summary on AIDS-Related Lymphoma Treatment.
Tests that examine the eyes, brain, and spinal cord are used to detect (find) and diagnose primary CNS lymphoma.
The prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:
- The patient's age and general health.
- The level of certain substances in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- Where the tumor is in the central nervous system.
- Whether the patient has AIDS.
Treatment options depend on the following:
- The stage of the cancer.
- Where the tumor is in the central nervous system.
- The patient's age and general health.
- Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).
These and other symptoms may be caused by adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
SPainless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, groin, or stomach.
- Fever for no known reason.
- Drenching night sweats.
- Feeling very tired.
- Weight loss for no known reason.
- Skin rash or itchy skin.
- Pain in the chest, abdomen, or bones for no known reason.
- Tests that examine the body and lymph system are used to help detect (find) and diagnose adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Treatment of primary CNS lymphoma works best when the tumor has not spread outside the cerebrum (the largest part of the brain) and the patient is younger than 60 years, able to carry out most daily activities, and does not have AIDS or other diseases that weaken the immune system.
There are different types of treatment for patients with primary CNS lymphoma.
Different types of treatment are available for patients with primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some are being tested in clinical trials. Before starting treatment, patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. A treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer. When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard treatment, the new treatment may become the standard treatment.
Clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Choosing the most appropriate cancer treatment is a decision that ideally involves the patient, family, and health care team.
Surgery is not used to treat primary CNS lymphoma.
National Cancer Institute
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