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).
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.
Signs & Symptoms
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.
Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk.
Treatment
Your OHC doctor will help you determine the best care plan for you. Treatment of primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma in patients who do not have AIDS may include the following:
- Whole brain radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy and targeted therapy (rituximab) followed by high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant
- A clinical trial of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant
- A clinical trial of high-dose chemotherapy and targeted therapy (rituximab), with or without stem cell transplant or whole brain radiation therapy.
Treatment of primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma in patients who do have AIDS and Primary Intraocular Lymphoma may include the following:
- Whole brain radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy
Treatment of Primary Intraocular Lymphoma may include the following:
- Whole brain radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy
Treatment of recurrent primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma may include the following:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy (if not received in earlier treatment)
- A clinical trial of a new drug or treatment schedule
