[Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system. Apropos of 8 cases]

Eight cases of intracranial primary lymphoma are reported. This condition accounts for 1.6% of all lymphomas. Although diagnosis is only confirmed by cerebral biopsy or surgical excision, it may be suggested by CT scan in multifocal forms. No localizations were demonstrated outside the CNS upon thorough clinical and radiological investigations or postmortem examination. Prognosis is poor: 5 patients died within four months. Tumor size and meningeal invasion are of more prognostic significance than the histological type. The authors advocate conventional radiotherapy delivering 45 000 grays over 5 weeks. Chemotherapy must be added in huge tumors or when meningeal invasion is present.