Primary lymphoma of the brain is cancer of the lymph cells that starts in the brain.
Alternative NamesBrain lymphoma; Cerebral lymphoma; Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system; Lymphoma - brain
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe cause of primary brain lymphoma is unknown. It is more common in people ages 45 - 70.
Patients who have a weakened immune system are at greater risk for primary lymphoma of the brain. Common causes of a weakened immune system include:
Primary lymphoma of the brain is also linked to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection, the virus that causes mononucleosis.
The rate of primary brain lymphoma is rising, but it is still relatively rare.
SymptomsThe following tests may be performed to help diagnose a primary lymphoma of the brain:
The condition is usually first treated with corticosteroids to control any local swelling and improve symptoms. However, chemotherapy may increase survival by 3 - 4 years, or longer. The chemotherapy is usually high doses of methotrexate given through a vein (intravenously) or a spinal tap(intrathecally).
Treating patients with weakened immune systems is not as successful, but it is improving.
Radiation therapy used to be the main treatment for primary lymphoma of the brain. Now it is usually reserved for treating patients who do not respond to chemotherapy.
Treatment with multiple therapies (combination therapy) is common.
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.
ComplicationsPossible complications include:
DeAngelis LM. Tumors of the central nervous system and intracranial hypertension and hypotension. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 199.
National Cancer Institute. Primary CNS lymphoma treatment (PDQ). 2009. Accessed February 25, 2009.
Primary lymphoma of the brain is cancer of the lymph cells that starts in the brain.
Alternative NamesBrain lymphoma; Cerebral lymphoma; Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system; Lymphoma - brain
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe cause of primary brain lymphoma is not known. It is more common in people ages 45 - 70.
Patients who have a weakened immune system are at greater risk for primary lymphoma of the brain. Common causes of a weakened immune system include:
Primary lymphoma of the brain is also linked to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), the virus that causes mononucleosis, especially in people with HIV infection.
The rate of primary brain lymphoma is rising. However, this cancer is still rare.
SymptomsThe following tests may be done to help diagnose a primary lymphoma of the brain:
The condition is usually first treated with corticosteroids to control swelling and improve symptoms. However, chemotherapy may increase survival by 3 - 4 years, or longer. The chemotherapy is usually high doses of methotrexate given through a vein (intravenously) or a spinal tap (intrathecally).
Treating patients with weakened immune systems is not as successful, but it is improving.
Radiation therapy was once the main treatment for primary lymphoma of the brain. Now it is usually only given to patients who do not respond to chemotherapy.
Many patients receive more than one treatment. This combination therapy includes drugs such as temozolomide, rituximab, cytarabine, and etoposide.
Recently, younger patients have been treated with high doses of chemotherapy. After the chemotherapy, they have an autologous stem cell transplant.
Expectations (prognosis)Without treatment, patients with primary brain lymphoma survive for less than 2 months. Patients who are treated with chemotherapy 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.
ComplicationsPossible complications include:
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. v.1.2011. Accessed February 8, 2011.
National Cancer Institute. Primary CNS lymphoma treatment (PDQ). 2009. Accessed February 25, 2009.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/28/2011
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital.
No, her Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer started in her lymph nodes.
Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Could be lymphoma,go to the lymphoma symptoms website.Dont warry,it's not a tapeworm, or a brain tumor.
The most common primary brain tumors include gliomas such as astrocytomas, ependymomas, and oligodendrogliomas
the primary vision is the intestines in the brain. it sux. personally
Gliomas are the most prevalent primary brain tumors
Rarely, a lumbar puncture or a spinal tap is performed to check if malignant cells are present in the fluid surrounding the brain.
Most adult brain cancers are not primary tumors, but are the result of primary cancer that has spread from other areas of the body
The primary auditory cortex is located in the Temporal Lobe of the brain.
The plural of lymphoma is lymphomas.
t cell lymphoma
Hypothalmus