Lymphoma Brain Tumor

Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma develops in your lymphatic system, is very aggressive and can result in a brain tumor. It is more common among people who have compromised immune systems, such as those with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and AIDS, and those receiving treatments that suppress the immune system.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of lymphoma brain tumor can include headache, forgetfulness, confusion, vomiting, vision problems, seizures, weakness in an arm or leg, facial weakness and difficulty recalling words.

Diagnosis/Evaluation

• Diagnosis and evaluation of the tumor may be made through a combination of physical and neurological examinations, blood tests, MRI of your brain and spine, CT scans of your lymph nodes, chest, abdomen, liver and spleen (to rule out lymphoma in other areas) and biopsy.

Treatment Team

• Treatment involves a team of doctors that may include neurooncologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, neurologists, oncologists, endocrinologists, radiation oncologists, hematopathologists and neuropsychologists.

Neurosurgery

• The purposes of neurosurgery for lymphoma brain tumor may include removal of the tumor for biopsy, improving or sustaining your neurological function or placement of a shunt to lower pressure on your brain from the tumor.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy is an integral part of successful treatment of a lymphoma brain tumor and the drug most commonly used is methotrexate.

Radiation

• Radiation therapy usually follows the completion of chemotherapy. The radiation is aimed directly at the location of the tumor.