Primary lymphoma of the brain

Alternative names:

brain lymphoma; cerebral lymphoma; lymphoma of the brain; primary lymphoma of the central nervous system

Definition:

A malignancy of the brain that occurs in immunosuppressed people.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

This type of brain tumor occurs most frequently in people whose immune response is suppressed. It is a neoplasm that occurs in AIDS patients. The cause of the tumor is unknown, but the Epstein-Barr virus may play a role. Personality changes, seizures, or neurological changes may be the initial symptoms. The tumor may disappear after a few weeks of treatment with steroids, but recurrences of the tumor can occur in 4 to 6 months. Risk factors are AIDS or immunosuppression from cancer, organ transplant, or treatment of autoimmune disorders. The incidence is 3 out of 1 million people.