Primary central nervous system lymphoma overview

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Primary central nervous system lymphoma Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Staging

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

Echocardiography and Ultrasound

CT

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Primary central nervous system lymphoma overview On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Primary central nervous system lymphoma overview

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Primary central nervous system lymphoma overview

CDC on Primary central nervous system lymphoma overview

Primary central nervous system lymphoma overview in the news

Blogs on Primary central nervous system lymphoma overview

Directions to Hospitals Treating Primary central nervous system lymphoma

Risk calculators and risk factors for Primary central nervous system lymphoma overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Marjan Khan M.B.B.S.[2]

Overview

Primary CNS lymphoma is an intracranial tumor usually present in those with severe immunosuppression. It represents around 20% of all cases of lymphomas in HIV infection (other types being Burkitt's lymphoma and immunoblastic lymphoma). Primary central nervous system lymphoma may originate from a germinal center to an early postgerminal center in a secondary lymphoid organ, which may be capable of further maturation steps. EBV is almost always associated with primary CNS lymphoma in immunodeficient individuals, and latent EBV infection of B-cells leads to it's immortalization and to CNS tropism. In immunocompetent individuals, the B-cells infected with EBV are held in check by T-cells, and with the severity of immunosuppression, T cells gradually fall, leading to the B-cell proliferation and dissemination. . Primary central nervous system lymphoma constitutes approximately 3%-4% of all primary brain tumors and 1%-2% of all lymphomas. Primary central nervous system lymphoma has been diagnosed in at least 2% of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus, and in 9–14% of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-autopsies. Primary CNS lymphoma is, after toxoplasmosis, the most common cause of focal brain lesions in AIDS patients. The overall incidence of primary central nervous system lymphoma is 0.4 per 100,000 individuals per year. The median age of occurrence of primary central nervous system lymphoma in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients are 53-57 years and 31-35 years, respectively. The peak incidence is between 60 and 70 years old for immunocompetent patients. Significant increment of incidence rate over time is associated with increased incidence of AIDS and advanced age. Males are more commonly affected with primary central nervous system lymphoma than females.

Classification

Primary central nervous system lymphoma may be classified according to the site of involvement of the central nervous system into 3 groups:

  1. Parenchymal
  2. Intravascular lymphoma
  3. Primary leptomeningeal lymphoma.

Primary CNS lymphomas are extranodal, malignant non-Hodgkin lymphomas of the diffuse large B-cell type that are confined to the brain, eyes, leptomeninges, or spinal cord, in the absence of systemic lymphoma. Primary CNS lymphomas are estimated to account for up to 1% of all lymphomas, 4–6% of all extranodal lymphomas, and about 3% of all CNS tumours. After a continuous rise in the incidence of primary CNS lymphoma during the 1980s and 1990s, epidemiological data in high-income countries show a decrease in incidence, particularly among young patients with AIDS.

Pathophysiology

  • Primary central nervous system lymphoma may originate from a germinal center to an early postgerminal center in a secondary lymphoid organ, which may be capable of further maturation steps.
  • EBV is almost always associated with primary CNS lymphoma in immunodeficient individuals, and latent EBV infection of B-cells leads to it's immortalization and to CNS tropism. In immunocompetent individuals, the B-cells infected with EBV are held in check by T-cells, and with the severity of immunosuppression, T cells gradually fall, leading to the B-cell proliferation and dissemination.
  • Genes involved in the pathogenesis of primary central nervous system lymphoma include IG, BCL6, CD95, PAX5, and PIM1.
  • Primary central nervous system lymphoma is highly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection (> 90%) in immunodeficient patients (such as those with AIDS and iatrogenically immunosuppressed).
  • Primary central nervous system lymphoma presents as a solitary or multiple, well circumscribed, greater than 2 cm in diameter, well-defined or infiltrating mass lesion/s that can arise in the cortex, white matter, or deep grey matter (more common in low-grade lesions). On gross pathology, the lesions could be brownish, gray-tan, or yellow, firm, homogenous, centrally necrotic with areas of hemorrhage.
  • On microscopic histopathological analysis, primary central nervous system lymphoma is characterized by accumulation of large atypical mononuclear cells around small calibre vascular channels with invasion of the walls of some vessels. The atypical cells have large round, oval and angulated hyperchromatic and vesicular nuclei, and a narrow rim of pale cytoplasm. An occasional mitotic figure is noted.
  • Primary central nervous system lymphoma is demonstrated by positivity to tumor markers, including B lymphocyte markers, such as CD19, CD20, CD79a, Ki-67, GFAP, BCL-2, and BCL-6.
  • Primary central nervous system lymphoma presents as a solitary or multiple, well circumscribed, greater than 2 cm in diameter, well-defined or infiltrating mass lesion/s that can arise in the cortex, white matter, or deep grey matter (more common in low-grade lesions).[5][2] On gross pathology, the lesions could be brownish, gray-tan, or yellow, firm, homogenous, centrally necrotic with areas of hemorrhage.[2] On microscopic histopathological analysis, primary central nervous system lymphoma is characterized by accumulation of large atypical mononuclear cells around small calibre vascular channels with invasion of the walls of some vessels.

Causes

There are no known direct causes for primary central nervous system lymphoma. To view a comprehensive list of risk factors that increase the risk of primary nervous system lymphoma, click here.

Differentiating Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma from other Diseases

Primary central nervous system lymphoma must be differentiated from secondary CNS lymphoma, cerebral toxoplasmosis, glioblastoma multiforme, cerebral abscess, and tuberculoma.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Primary central nervous system lymphoma constitutes approximately 3%-4% of all primary brain tumors and 1%-2% of all lymphomas. Primary central nervous system lymphoma has been diagnosed in at least 2% of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus, and in 9–14% of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-autopsies. Primary CNS lymphoma is, after toxoplasmosis, the most common cause of focal brain lesions in AIDS patients. The overall incidence of primary central nervous system lymphoma is 0.4 per 100,000 individuals per year. The median age of occurrence of primary central nervous system lymphoma in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients are 53-57 years and 31-35 years, respectively. The peak incidence is between 60 and 70 years old for immunocompetent patients. Significant increment of incidence rate over time is associated with increased incidence of AIDS and advanced age. Males are more commonly affected with primary central nervous system lymphoma than females. The male to female ratio is approximately 1.2 to 1 in immunocompetent patients and approximately 7.38 to 1 in AIDS-associated primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Risk Factors

The most potent risk factor in the development of primary central nervous system lymphoma is a weakened or suppressed immune system in individuals who have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), received an organ transplant and are on immunosuppressants, inherited immunosuppressive disorders (IgA deficiency, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, ataxia telangiectasia), and autoimmune disorders (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis).

Screening

There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

If left untreated, primary central nervous system lymphoma may progress to develop elevated intracranial pressure, ocular symptoms, focal neurological deficits, and neuropsychiatric problems. Common complications of primary central nervous system lymphoma include relapse, extracranial or subcutaneous metastasis, neuropsychiatric problems, and neurological toxicity. The prognosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma is generally poor.

Diagnosis

Staging

There is no established system for the staging of primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Symptoms

Symptoms of primary central nervous system lymphoma are identical to the other types of brain tumors and depend on the area of the brain that is affected. Primary central nervous system lymphoma is multifocal. Symptoms of primary nervous system lymphoma include headache, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, monocular vision loss, Muscle weakness or paralysis, memory loss, facial hypoesthesia, seizures, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.

Physical Examination

Common physical examination findings of primary central nervous system lymphoma include vision loss, papilledema, altered mental status, apathy, depression, aphasia, cranioneuropathies, ataxia, and hemiparesis.

Laboratory Findings

Laboratory tests performed in a case suspected of primary central nervous system lymphoma include complete blood count, complete metabolic panel, lactate dehydrogenase, serological testing for HIV, and CSF analysis. Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma include elevated protein and decreased glucose on CSF analysis. Positive EBV DNA in CSF-PCR is helpful for diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma, particularly in HIV/AIDS patients.

CT

Head CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma. Findings on CT scan suggestive of primary central nervous system lymphoma include supratentorial hyperattenuating, enhancing, hemorrhaging mass with subependymal extension crossing the corpus callosum. Chest, abdomen, and pelvic CT scans may be used to exclude any occult systemic disease from the spread of primary central nervous system lymphoma.

MRI

Contrast-enhanced MRI is the imaging modality of choice for primary central nervous system lymphoma. Findings on MRI suggestive of primary central nervous system lymphoma include solitary to multiple, 3-5 cm ring-enhancing lesions in almost any location, but usually deep in the white matter, which are typically hypointense on T1-weighted images and iso- to hypointense on T2-weighted images.

Other Imaging Findings

There are no other imaging findings associated with primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Other Diagnostic Studies

Other diagnostic studies for primary central nervous system lymphoma include magnetic resonance spectroscopy, magnetic resonance perfusion, scintigraphy, stereotactic biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction.

Treatment

Medical Therapy

The treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma depends on the patient’s age, performance status, stage and location of the lymphoma, and whether or not the individual is immunosuppressed. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for primary central nervous system lymphoma. Corticosteroids are often used to destroy lymphoma cells and relieve cerebral edema. Radiation therapy may be given on its own or along with chemotherapy. The treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma depends on the patient’s age, performance status, stage and location of the lymphoma, and whether or not the individual is immunosuppressed.

Surgery

Surgical intervention is not recommended for the management of primary central nervous system lymphoma, because the tumors are often deeply seated and spread throughout the brain.

Prevention

There are no primary or secondary preventive measures available for seminoma.

References


Template:WikiDoc Sources