Conservative management of post-transplant central nervous system lymphoma

Int Urol Nephrol. 2013 Aug;45(4):1219-22. doi: 10.1007/s11255-012-0146-8. Epub 2012 Apr 3.

Abstract

Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare B cell variant non-Hodgkins lymphoma that is confined to the brain, leptomeninges, spinal cord and eyes. Its incidence is increasing, primarily due to increase in the number of organ transplantations being undertaken. The majority of the PTLD (post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder) is seen in kidney transplant recipients simply because they constitute a larger group of transplant recipients each year as compared to other solid organ transplantations. Primary infection of previously infected EBV seronegative patients and immunosuppression are found to be the main etiologic factors in the development of PTLD-PCNSL. There are no clear guidelines on treatment regimens, and it should be individualized according to patient comorbidities. We report a case of PCNS lymphoproliferative disorder in a kidney transplant recipient, which underwent complete remission with decreasing immunosuppression. The patient could not undergo chemotherapy/radiotherapy due to underlying comorbidities. We highlight the available treatment modalities for PTLD-PCNSL.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / diagnosis*
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / pathology
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / therapy
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / therapy
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / surgery*
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Kidney Transplantation / methods
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / etiology
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / therapy
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / pathology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Tissue Donors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Transplantation Immunology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents