Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma in an Immunocompetent Young Woman

Abstract

Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a rare brain tumor and the most common risk factor is immune system deficiency. This tumor can be seen in normal people however it is mainly seen in an age range of 50-70 years and predominantly in the male gender. The incidence of this disease in different ages is also influenced by race. As reported, at the age below 50-years blacks have had higher overall incidence rates in comparison to whites. Although analysis of CSF and hematologic tests can help diagnosis the only definite diagnosis tool is biopsy. The tumor cell’s high susceptibility to corticosteroid-dependent apoptosis. Corticosteroids have not been used before biopsy. The main treatment strategy is high dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) - based chemotherapy and whole brain radiation and surgery is restricted to biopsy for diagnostic purposes only. Here we present a case of a young female without immune deficiency who was diagnosed with primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Keywords

• primary central nervous system lymphoma
• brain tumor
• immunocompetent