نظرة عامة
Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma is a type of lymphoma. Lymphoma is cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made up of organs, glands, tubelike vessels and clusters of cells called lymph nodes. It is part of the body's immune system.
There are many types of lymphoma. Lymphomas are often grouped into two main types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Most CNS lymphomas are non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
CNS lymphoma affects the central nervous system, which includes the brain, the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds them. It also can affect the eyes. Although CNS lymphoma can appear in the brain, it is different from most brain tumors because it starts in immune cells called lymphocytes. These cells usually help fight infection. In CNS lymphoma, they start to grow out of control in the central nervous system. As the cancer cells grow, they can form one or more tumors, sometimes called masses.
CNS lymphoma is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness, but there are treatment options. Your outcome depends on factors such as your overall health, how much of the central nervous system is affected and how well the treatment destroys the cancer.
Types
There are two main types of central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. This cancer is classified based on where it started.
Primary CNS lymphoma
Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) starts in the central nervous system. This includes the brain, the spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds them. It also can affect the eyes.
Most PCNSLs are diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. They begin in lymphocytes called B cells. This cancer affects parts of the nervous system that control thinking, movement and vision, so symptoms often include changes in how the brain works.
Secondary CNS lymphoma
Secondary CNS lymphoma (SCNSL) begins in another part of the body, such as the lymph nodes or other organs. SCNSL can spread to the brain, the spinal cord or the fluid around them. It also can spread to the eyes.
الأعراض
Symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma can vary from person to person. They often depend on where the cancer is located within the central nervous system.
Some common symptoms are:
- Headaches that don't go away or get worse over time.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Changes in thinking, memory or concentration.
- Changes in personality or behavior.
- Weakness or numbness in part of the body.
- Trouble with balance or walking.
- Seizures.
- Vision problems, such as blurred vision.
Some symptoms develop gradually, while others may appear suddenly or get worse quickly.
الأسباب
The exact cause of central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma is not known. It happens when changes occur in certain immune cells called lymphocytes. These changes cause the cells to grow out of control and form cancer.
In primary CNS lymphoma, the cancer begins in the brain, the spinal cord or the fluid around them. It also can begin in the eyes. In secondary CNS lymphoma, the cancer starts elsewhere in the body and later spreads to the central nervous system.
Researchers don't know why lymphoma develops in the central nervous system in some people. The disease may be linked to changes in the immune system that affect how lymphocytes grow and function.
عوامل الخطورة
Factors that can increase the risk of developing central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma include:
- Older age. Primary CNS lymphoma is more common in older adults. It occurs most often in people in their 60s and 70s.
- A weakened immune system. CNS lymphoma is more likely if the immune system is not working properly. People with weakened immune systems include those who take medicine to control the immune system, such as after an organ transplant. Some health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, also can weaken the immune system.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV infection has been linked to CNS lymphoma, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
If you have lymphoma in another part of the body, the risk of it spreading to the CNS depends partly on the type of lymphoma. Some aggressive types are more likely to spread to the CNS.
المضاعفات
Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma and its treatment can sometimes cause complications, either during treatment or afterward.
Possible complications include:
- Increased pressure in the brain. Tumors or swelling can raise pressure inside the skull. This may lead to worsening headaches, nausea, vomiting or changes in alertness.
- Lasting problems with movement, speech or vision. Damage to the brain, spinal cord or eyes can cause ongoing changes, even after treatment ends.
- Infections. Some treatments can weaken the immune system, which increases the risk of infections.
- Changes in memory or thinking. Some treatments, especially those that affect the brain, can cause changes in thinking, memory or focus, either for a short time or long term.
Not everyone with CNS lymphoma has these complications. Your healthcare team watches for any problems and helps manage them if they happen.