[Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system]

Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system is an important diagnosis to consider in any patient with an expansive lesion of unknown origin. The incidence of this cancer is reported to be increasing. We collected retrospective data from the files on all patients with brain tumours treated surgically at the University Hospital of Tromsø in the 1986-98 period (n = 513). Of 283 patients operated for brain tumours from 1986 to 1994, only one (0.4%) had a primary lymphoma. Of 230 patients treated from 1995 to 1998 seven (3%) suffered from the same condition. Two of the eight patients had T-cell lymphomas. Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system is a highly invasive tumour and should preferably be treated with chemotherapy and irradiation. The use of surgery is controversial. In most cases, surgery should be restricted to biopsy only.