Primary CNS lymphoma: Combined treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy Journal Article


Authors: DeAngelis, L. M.; Yahalom, J.; Heinemann, M. H.; Cirrincione, C.; Thaler, H. T.; Krol, G.
Article Title: Primary CNS lymphoma: Combined treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Abstract: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), an uncommon tumor, is occurring with increasing frequency. Conventional therapy with corticosteroids and cranial radiotherapy (RT) usually gives a dramatic initial response, but median survival is only 10 to 18 months. Chemotherapy is more successful in comparable systemic lymphoma and has been employed for PCNSL at relapse, causing remission but not cure. Between June 1985 and June 1988, we prospectively staged 32 patients with PCNSL at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and treated 28 on a new protocol that combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy at diagnosis. None had occult systemic lymphoma, but 19% had ocular and 69% had definite or probable leptomeningeal lymphoma. There were no complications in 19 stereotactic biopsies, but 4/10 patients who had a complete resection suffered a severe postoperative deficit. Four patients received RT alone, and 28 received chemotherapy and cranial RT, 17 of whom (group A) received a combination regimen using pre-RT systemic (1 g/m2) and intra-Ommaya methotrexate (MTX), 4,000 cGy whole-brain RT with a 1,440 cGy boost, and 2 courses of post-RT high-dose cytosine arabinoside; 5 other patients received an identical regimen but with a decreased dose of MTX (200 mg/m2). Sixty-three percent of assessable patients had a response to MTX independent of corticosteroid and prior to RT. Eighteen of 26 (69%) assessable patients who received combined therapy are alive with a median follow-up of 25.4 months. Twelve of 16 (75%) assessable group A patients are alive in the same period. Chemotherapy-related toxicity was minimal, and no late toxicities have occurred to date. A vigorous multimodality approach to PCNSL was well tolerated, and survival is markedly improved over conventional therapy. © 1990 American Academy of Neurology.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; aged; combined modality therapy; cytarabine; methotrexate; brain neoplasms; computer assisted tomography; neoplasm recurrence, local; dexamethasone; brain; lymphoma; intravenous drug administration; computer analysis; middle age; human; male; female; priority journal; article; support, non-u.s. gov't
Journal Title: Neurology
Volume: 40
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0028-3878
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 1990-01-01
Start Page: 80
End Page: 86
Language: English
PUBMED: 2296388
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI: 10.1212/wnl.40.1.80
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 27 January 2020 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Joachim Yahalom
    625 Yahalom
  2. George Krol
    86 Krol
  3. Howard T Thaler
    245 Thaler