Primary cerebral anaplastic T-cell-lymphoma (type Ki-1): review and case report

We describe the clinical course of a 20-year-old man who suffered generalized convulsive seizures with postictal aphasia and hemiparesis of the right side. Computed tomography (CT) displayed a left postcentral lesion with prominent perifocal edema and only a little contrast medium enhancement. The completely removed tumor proved to be a primary cerebral non-Hodgkin lymphoma consisting of T-cells. Only ten days after the operation the patient once more presented a clinical deterioration. A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) displayed an annular structure in the area previously operated upon, suspected to be an abscess. The second operation disclosed a large recurrence of the primary T-cell lymphoma extending diffusely into the white matter. On account of the rapid recurrence, a whole brain irradiation was started twelve days after the second operation. Four cycles of chemotherapy followed. Immunohistochemical studies of the anaplastic large lymphoma cells showed staining with the pan T-cell markers (UCHL1, CD3) and with the CD30 (Ki-1) antibody. The B-cell markers (L26, LN1) were negative. The EMA (epithelial membrane antigen) was only partially expressed. Further investigation excluded the presence of systemic lymphoma manifestation. 24 months after the last operation the patient remained free of symptoms. The last MRI displayed no evidence for the recurrence of a lymphoma. In reference to this unusual clinical course the few previously reported cases of the extremely rare primary cerebral T-cell lymphoma are reviewed.