Brain Tumor: Lymphoma In The Brain

Cerebral Lymphoma

Cerebral lymphoma (Lymphoma n the brain) is a type of bran cancer. As degenerate cells of the immune system  in brain are called lymphoma. Specifically, it is in the lymphocytes, which belong to the white blood cells. These form a tumor.

A lymphoma in the brain occurs either within the brain ( primary ) or external ( secondary ) from degenerated lymphocytes. These lymphoid cells belong to the  white blood cells (leukocytes) and are actually part of the body’s defense. As a rule, lymphoma in the brain include in the group of malignant  non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas . Cerebral lymphomas are distinguishes in two forms Depending on whether it occur within or outside the brain:

  • Primary Cerebral Lymphoma
  • Secondary Cerebral Lymphoma

Secondary Cerebral Lymphoma

Normally, lymphomas settle within the lymphoid organs. These include lymph nodes, liver, spleen and the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. However, the lymphoma may be up spread from these organs to the brain and thus become a so-called secondary brain lymphoma.The main symptom of these lymphomas is usually a painless swelling of lymph nodes .

Primary Cerebral Lymphoma

However, it is also possible that a lymphoma itself arises in the brain. Such lymphoma is primary brain lymphoma. This lymphoma in the brain has its origin in degenerated lymphatic cells.

Frequency of Lymphoma In The Brain

A primary lymphoma in the brain (cerebral lymphoma) is generally very rare, but a primary brain lymphoma is most commonly developed at the age of 50 to 70 years, where even people with healthy immune system can be affected. However, cerebral lymphomas occur more frequently in people with a weakened immune system (eg before or after an organ transplant , or as part of AIDS ). Overall, primary lymphoma in the brain make about 2 to 3 percent of all primary brain tumors .

Mostly a primary lymphoma in the brain is a malignant tumor include in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Compared to other cancers, this is quite rare. It concerns only an even smaller proportion of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the central nervous system (CNS), ie the brain and spinal cord . A sole lymphoma in the brain is extremely rare: Such lymphomas in the brain make up about 2 percent of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, and 2 to 3 percent of brain tumors.

Causes of lymphomas in brain

Causes of lymphoma in the brain (cerebral lymphoma) is not yet known. There are only guesses about the reasons why the white blood cells degenerate and from or develop lymphomas in the brain.

In the development of lymphomas in the brain, especially disorders of the body’s defenses seem to play an important role in development. In a healthy immune system , especially in younger people risk to develop a primary brain lymphoma is very low. Persons with an impaired or weakened immune system (eg following a organ transplant , an HIV-infection or a congenital disorder of the immune system), however, have a higher risk to develop lymphoma in the brain. About one percent of people with AIDS developed a primary cerebral lymphoma. The shorter the underlying disease is, the lower the probability of getting a lymphoma in the brain.

Symptoms of Lymphoma in the Brain

Cerebral lymphoma causes diverse symptoms. Like other brain tumors, symptoms of cerebral lymphoma depend on size and location of tumor in brain.

Early symptoms include

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

But cerebral lymphoma also causes noticeable paralysis and eyes are also affected.

For more information about symptoms of Lymphoma:

Symptoms of Lymphoma in the Brain

 

Diagnosis of Lymphoma In The Brain

For the diagnosis of a cerebral lymphoma, the modern imaging methods play a significant role. Thus it is possible by using the magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography to make the affected regions visible. These are reliable diagnostic methods but they do not provide the cross-sectional imaging. This is due to the diversity of a lymphoma in the brain because brain tumors develop from many different cell types and can grow in different ways. Therefore, in cases of suspected lymphoma in the brain further investigation and additional studies are required to accurately distinguish it.

In some cases, a spinal tap with a subsequent examination of the cerebrospinal fluid provide valuable information for the diagnosis. In this connection, the examination of the cerebrospinal fluid has to be mentioned. However the histological examination is only the final certainty regarding the diagnosis. The doctor usually extracts a tissue sample through a small hole (stereotactic biopsy ). Diagnosis also includes an examination of the eye , as they are also affected in one in ten cases.

Treatments of Lymphoma In The Brain

In case of cerebral lymphoma ( lymphoma in the brain ) treatments depend on type, location and size of tumor.  Usually a sole chemotherapy or a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is used for isolated cerebral lymphoma . Through this combined process, the chances of success have been increased. However, Early treatments are very necessary because  lymphomas can grow very quickly in the brain.

For more information about Treatments of  Cerebral Lymphoma:

Treatments of Lymphoma In The Brain

Prevention Lymphoma In The Brain

You cannot safely prevent a lymphoma in the brain (cerebral lymphoma),  because the exact cause of the degeneration of the  white blood cells is yet unknown.

People with compromised immune systems (eg, after an  organ transplant , or as part of AIDS ) are at higher risk of developing primary lymphoma in the brain. Therefore, a healthy immune system may indirectly have a preventive effect. You can support your defenses through a healthy lifestyle and so you have a chance to reduce your overall risk of disease. Eat a varied, low-fat diet , avoid  nicotine and excessive  alcohol consumption and exercise regularly. Prior to infection with the HIV virus ( HIV ), you need to use condoms to protect yourself.