Steroid-induced remission in primary malignant lymphoma of the central nervous system

• Published in: Surgical neurology Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 79 - 84
• Main Authors: Todd, Frederick D., Miller, Carole A., Yates, Allan J., Mervis, Lawrence J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.07.1986; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adrenal Cortex Hormones - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic agents; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Neoplasms - drug therapy; Brain Neoplasms - pathology; Brain Neoplasms - physiopathology; Central nervous system; Cerebral Ventricles; Chemotherapy; Computed tomography; Corticosteroids; Female; Humans; Lymphoma - drug therapy; Lymphoma - pathology; Lymphoma - physiopathology; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Primary malignant lymphoma; Remission; Primary malignant lymphoma; Remission; Corticosteroids; Computed tomography; Central nervous system; Antineoplastic agent; Human; Corticosteroid; Chemotherapy; Nervous system diseases; Antiinflammatory agent; Malignant lymphoma
• ISSN: 0090-3019; 1879-3339
• DOI: 10.1016/0090-3019(86)90068-6

A case of primary malignant lymphoma of the central nervous system is described in which lesions seen on computed tomography scans disappeared, and clinical remissions occurred with the administration of corticosteroids. The tumor affected the region of the fourth ventricle and parietal and frontal lobes. In our patient, three remissions occurred over a span of 24 months, each in conjunction with corticosteroid administration. This supports other observations that steroids alter the natural history of primary malignant lymphoma of the central nervous system, leading to both radiologic and clinical remissions.