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Primary lymphoma of the brain - Overview

Alternative Names

Brain lymphoma; Cerebral lymphoma; Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system; Lymphoma - brain

Definition of Primary lymphoma of the brain:

Primary lymphoma of the brain is cancer of the lymph cells that starts in the brain.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of primary brain lymphoma is unknown. It is more common in people ages 45 - 70.

Patients who have a weakened immune system are at greater risk for primary lymphoma of the brain. Common causes of a weakened immune system include:

HIV
Organ transplants (especially heart transplants)

Lymphoma is also linked to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection, the virus that causes mononucleosis.

The incidence of primary brain lymphoma is rising, but it is still relatively rare.

Brain

Reviewed last on: 3/2/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

DeAngelis LM. Tumors of the central nervous system and intracranial hypertension and hypotension. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 199.

National Cancer Institute. Primary CNS lymphoma treatment (PDQ). 2009. Accessed February 25, 2009.

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