These tumors are especially seen in patients whose immune systems have been suppressed. This suppression may be because of inherited immunosuppressive diseases, after therapy for organ transplantation or other acquired conditions that suppress immunity such as tuberculosis, blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), lupus erythematosus and Epstein-Barr (EB) virus infection. Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system has become a common manifestation of AIDS.
Standard Treatment The role of surgery is usually to establish a tissue diagnosis, since there are usually multiple lesions that are inaccessible and surgery is not curative.
Radiation produces improvement, but relapse may occur in one to two years. Studies are evaluating various chemotherapy combinations. It is clear that remissions can be produced, but it is not yet known which therapy is the most effective.
