Chemotherapy in the management of intraocular lymphoma

Six patients with intraocular (vitreous) lymphomas were treated with high-dose intravenous cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). Four patients were previously untreated, one patient had previously received ocular and central nervous system radiation therapy and relapsed, and one patient had previously received chemotherapy for systemic lymphoma. Five responses were observed: one complete and four partial. High-dose Ara-C is active in intraocular (vitreous) lymphoma, but complete response is uncommon. Adjunctive use of Ara-C in combination with ocular irradiation may be a useful form of therapy in this uncommon lymphoma.