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Primary lymphoma of the brain

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Definition:

Primary lymphoma of the brain is cancer that started in the brain.

Alternative Names:

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

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of primary brain lymphoma is unknown, but it is more common in people between the ages of 45 and 70. Patients who are immunocompromised, such those with HIV or organ transplants, especially heart transplants, are at greater risk for primary lymphoma of the brain. In immunocompromised patients, the lymphoma is linked to Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection.

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

• Review Date: 9/27/2006
• Reviewed By: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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