Primary central nervous system lymphoma: overview of current treatment strategies

Priscilla K Brastianos; Tracy T Batchelor

doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2012.05.003

Primary central nervous system lymphoma: overview of current treatment strategies

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2012 Aug;26(4):897-916. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2012.05.003.

Authors

Priscilla K Brastianos¹, Tracy T Batchelor

Affiliation

¹ Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. [email protected]

PMID: 22794289
DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2012.05.003

Abstract

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an uncommon and aggressive variant of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that involves the brain, eyes, leptomeninges, or spinal cord. Therapeutic progress has been modest, and our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive this disease is limited. Clinicians treating PCNSL face a challenge to balance the need to administer aggressive regimens to achieve a cure with the risks of delayed neurotoxicity after treatment. The standard treatment is a methotrexate-containing chemotherapy regimen. The timing and dose of whole-brain radiation therapy is controversial, given the significant risks of late neurotoxic effects, particularly in elderly patients.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain / pathology
Central Nervous System Neoplasms / diagnosis
Central Nervous System Neoplasms / therapy*
Diagnostic Imaging
Humans
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / diagnosis
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / therapy*
Prognosis