Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma

Solicite una Consulta

Survival rates

Survival rates describe how many people with central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma are alive after a certain amount of time, often five years after diagnosis.

Primary CNS lymphoma survival rates vary by age. Younger people tend to have higher survival rates than adults. The five-year survival rates by age are:

  • Ages 0 to 14: 86%.
  • Ages 15 to 39: 61%.
  • Age 40 and older: 38%.

People with primary CNS lymphoma tend to have better outcomes than do those with secondary CNS lymphoma. This is because secondary CNS lymphoma usually develops after lymphoma has already affected other parts of the body.

CNS lymphoma may return after treatment. When relapse happens, it often occurs within the first few years after diagnosis. Additional treatments may help control the disease if a relapse occurs.

Treatments for CNS lymphoma have gotten better in recent years. Many people do well with treatment, and survival rates have improved as new treatments are developed.

What affects prognosis

A cancer prognosis helps predict how the cancer may respond to treatment and what to expect. Many factors affect the outlook for CNS lymphoma.

Your prognosis may depend on:

  • Your age.
  • Your overall health.
  • Whether the lymphoma is primary or secondary.
  • How much of the brain, spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid or eyes are affected.
  • How well the lymphoma responds to treatment.
  • Whether the lymphoma comes back after treatment.
  • Whether you have HIV or other conditions that affect your immune system.

For some people, CNS lymphoma may go into long-term remission after treatment. For other people, it can come back and may need more treatment.

If you have questions about prognosis or survival rates, talk with your healthcare team. Your care team can help you understand what these numbers may mean for you.

Solicite una consulta
Diagnósticos y tratamientosMédicos y departamentos
April 01, 2026

Living with central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Blood Cancers & Disorders support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community.

Blood Cancers & Disorders Discussions

Lori, Volunteer Mentor
My Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT/SCT) story: Will you share yours?

869 Replies Sat, May 23, 2026

hikerny
Anyone have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

319 Replies Sat, May 23, 2026

See more discussions
  1. Shah T, et al. Central nervous system lymphoma. Seminars in Neurology. 2023; doi:10.1055/s-0043-1776783.
  2. Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. Blood Cancer United. https://bloodcancerunited.org/central-nervous-system-cns-lymphoma. Accessed Jan. 25, 2026.
  3. Central nervous system cancers. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/default.aspx. Accessed Jan. 25, 2026.
  4. Nayak L. Primary central nervous system lymphoma: Clinical features, diagnosis, and extent of disease evaluation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 25, 2026.
  5. Baehring JM. Secondary central nervous system lymphoma: Clinical features and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 25, 2026.
  6. Hoffman R. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system. In: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 2, 2026.
  7. Ropper AH, et al. Intracranial neoplasms and paraneoplastic disorders. In: Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 12th ed. McGraw Hill; 2023. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Feb. 2, 2026.
  8. AskMayoExpert. Primary central nervous system lymphoma: Diagnosis through treatment. Mayo Clinic; 2023.
  9. Cwynarski K. Management of secondary central nervous system lymphoma. British Journal for Haematology. 2023; doi:10.1111/bjh.18539.
  10. Primary central nervous system lymphoma. American Brain Tumor Association. https://www.abta.org/tumor_types/primary-central-nervous-system-lymphoma. Accessed Feb. 9, 2026.
  11. Kaplan LD, et al. HIV-related lymphomas: Primary central nervous system lymphoma. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 9, 2026.
  12. Strowd RE. Approach to the patient with CNS lymphoma. In: Neuro-Oncology for the Clinical Neurologist. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 13, 2026.
  13. Rachdi A, et al. Recent advances in the diagnosis and the treatment of primary CNS lymphoma. Revue Neurologique. 2023; doi:10.1016/j.neurol.2023.03.012.
  14. Nayak L, et al. Primary central nervous system lymphoma: Treatment and prognosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 13, 2026.
  15. Abramson JS. Secondary central nervous system lymphoma: Treatment and prognosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 13, 2026.
  16. Questions to ask when you've been diagnosed with cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/questions-to-ask-your-doctor.html. Accessed Feb. 15, 2026.
  17. Communicating with your blood cancer specialist or care team. Blood Cancer United. https://bloodcancerunited.org/blood-cancer-care/adults/communicating-your-blood-cancer-specialist-care-team. Accessed Feb. 15, 2026.
  18. Ribas GA, et al. Primary central nervous system lymphoma: Imaging features and differential diagnosis. The Neuroradiology Journal. 2024; doi:10.1177/19714009241252625.
  19. Price M, et al. CBTRUS statistical report: Primary brain and other central nervous system tumors diagnosed in the United States in 2018–2022. Neuro-Oncology. 2025; doi:10.1093/neuonc/noaf194.
  20. Yescarta (approval letter). Biologic License Application 125643. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/cellular-gene-therapy-products/yescarta. Accessed March 5, 2026.
  21. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Blood Cancer United. https://bloodcancerunited.org/blood-cancer-care/adults/types-blood-cancer-treatment/immunotherapy/chimeric-antigen-receptor-car-t-cell-therapy. Accessed March 8, 2026.
  22. Yescarta (prescribing information). Kite Pharma; 2026. https://www.yescarta.com. Accessed March 25, 2025.

Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma