Primary Lymphoma of the BrainSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Primary Lymphoma of the Brain
View Main Condition: Brain Tumor
Primary lymphoma of the brain is cancer of white blood cells that starts in the brain.
Brain lymphoma; Cerebral lymphoma; Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system; PCNSL; Lymphoma - B-cell lymphoma, brain
The cause of primary brain lymphoma is not known.
People with a weakened immune system are at high risk for primary lymphoma of the brain. Common causes of a weakened immune system include HIV/AIDS and having had an organ transplant (especially heart transplant).
Primary lymphoma of the brain may be linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), especially in people with HIV/AIDS. EBV is the virus that causes mononucleosis.
Primary brain lymphoma is more common in people ages 45 to 70. The rate of primary brain lymphoma is rising. Almost 1,500 new patients are diagnosed with primary brain lymphoma every year in the United States.
Symptoms of primary brain lymphoma may include any of the following:
- Changes in speech or vision
- Confusion or hallucinations
- Seizures
- Headaches, nausea, or vomiting
- Leaning to one side when walking
- Weakness in hands or loss of coordination
- Numbness to hot, cold, and pain
- Personality changes
- Weight loss
The main treatment is with chemotherapy and certain monoclonal antibodies, which are a type of lab-made protein to treat many diseases, including cancer.
Younger people may receive high-dose chemotherapy, possibly followed by an autologous stem cell transplant.
Radiation therapy of the whole brain may be done after chemotherapy, but is often avoided due to potential neurologic complications.
Boosting the immune system, such as in those with HIV/AIDS or a history of organ transplant, may also be tried.
Abingdon Physician Partners - Regional Cancer Center At Johnston Memorial Hospital
. Dr. Davis is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Primary Lymphoma of the Brain. His top areas of expertise are Hemangioma Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Thrombocytopenia, and Colorectal Cancer.
Hematology, Blood & Marrow Transplant, And Cellular Therapy (HBC) Program
Dr. James Rubenstein is a hematologist-oncologist, or a specialist in blood disorders. He has particular expertise in treating patients with neurologic complications from cancer, including patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involving the brain (called central nervous system lymphoma). He also specializes in patients with cancer that has spread to the brain from other parts of the body. In his research, Rubenstein investigates immunologic tools to improve tumor response to chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and to minimize toxicity from treatment. He is also interested in developing tumor biomarkers to diagnose brain tumors. Rubenstein earned his medical degree at Weill Cornell Medicine and completed a residency in internal medicine at Stanford Medicine. He earned a doctorate in molecular and cellular neurosciences at the Rockefeller University. He completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at UCSF, which included training in neuro-oncology. Rubenstein has won research awards from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the National Cancer Institute. He is a member of the American Society of Hematology, American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Association for Cancer Research. Dr. Rubenstein is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Primary Lymphoma of the Brain. His top areas of expertise are Primary Lymphoma of the Brain, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Gastric Lymphoma, Vitrectomy, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.
Ballad Health Cancer Center
. Dr. Shipstone is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Primary Lymphoma of the Brain. His top areas of expertise are Adult Immune Thrombocytopenia, Colorectal Cancer, Hemangioma Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, and Thrombocytopenia.
Without treatment, people with primary brain lymphoma survive for less than 6 months. When treated with chemotherapy, half of the patients will be in remission 10 years after being diagnosed. Survival may improve with autologous stem cell transplant.
Possible complications include:
- Chemotherapy side effects, including low blood counts
- Radiation side effects, including confusion, headaches, nervous system (neurologic) problems, and tissue death
- Return (recurrence) of the lymphoma
Summary: This phase I/II trial evaluates the best dose, side effects and possible benefit of CBL0137 in treating patients with solid tumors, including central nervous system (CNS) tumors or lymphoma that has come back (relapsed) or does not respond to treatment (refractory). Drugs, such as CBL0137, block signals passed from one molecule to another inside a cell. Blocking these signals can affect many funct...
Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
National Cancer Institute website. Primary CNS lymphoma treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/hp/primary-cns-lymphoma-treatment-pdq. Updated December 2, 2022. Accessed May 13, 2024.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology (NCCN guidelines): central nervous system cancers. Version 1.2023. www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/cns.pdf. Updated May 31, 2024. Accessed June 18, 2024.
Roque A, Hochberg FH, Baehring JM. Primary nervous system tumors in adults. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 74.