Primary CNS lymphoma in immunocompetent: a review of literature and our experience from Kashmir

Aim To study the clinicopathological aspects of primary CNS lymphoma in immunocompetent patients. Material and methods Sixteen patients with primary CNS lymphoma were analyzed for their clinico-pathological characteristics and followed-up for the treatment and subsequent management in Neurosurgery, and Medical and Radiation Oncology. Results The fronto-parietal region was the commonest location of CNS lymphoma; four cases of cerebellar lymphoma were seen. Our patients were relatively young with a mean age of 48 years and an age range of 35-60 years. Females outnumbered males with a ratio of 2.7:1. The commonest presentation was focal neurological-deficits and features of raised intracranial pressure. All the patients histologically had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Radiologically, most presented as disc-enhancing lesions. Two patients had multiple lesions. Most of the patients (10) died within a mean of 4.4 months (range 2 weeks-16 months). Conclusion Primary CNS lymphoma is seen in immunocompetent patients as well. Relapse is common after treatment and the overall prognosis is unfavorable.