Primary CNS lymphoma of T-cell origin: a descriptive analysis from the international primary CNS lymphoma collaborative group.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the demographic and tumor related characteristics and outcomes for patients with primary T-cell CNS lymphoma (TPCNSL).


METHODS
A retrospective series of patients with TPCNSL was compiled from twelve cancer centers in seven countries.


RESULTS
We identified 45 patients with a median age of 60 years (range, 3 to 84 years). Twenty (44%) had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 0 or 1. Twenty-six (58%) had involvement of a cerebral hemisphere and sixteen (36%) had lesions of deeper sites in the brain. Serum lactate dehydrogenase was elevated in 7 (32%) of 22 patients, and CSF protein was elevated in 19 of 24 patients (79%) with available data. The median disease-specific survival (DSS) was 25 months (95% CI, 11 to 38 months). The 2- and 5-year DSS were 51% (95% CI, 35% to 66%) and 17% (95% CI, 6% to 34%), respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for age (</= 60 v > 60 years), PS (0 or 1 v 2, 3, or 4), involvement of deep structures of the CNS (no v yes), and methotrexate (MTX) use in the primary treatment (yes v no). Only PS and MTX use were significantly associated with better outcome with hazard ratios of 0.2 (95% CI, 0.1 to 0.4) and 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2 to 0.8), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the largest series ever assembled of TPCNSL. The presentation and outcome appear similar to that of B cell PCNSL. PS 0 or 1 and administration of MTX are associated with better survival.
Shenkier
Tamara N
TN
British Columbia Cancer Agency, 600 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4E6, Canada. tshenkier@bccancer.bc.ca
Blay
Jean-Yves
JY
O'Neill
Brian Patrick
BP
Poortmans
Philip
P
Thiel
Eckhard
E
Jahnke
Kristoph
K
Abrey
Lauren E
LE
Neuwelt
Edward
E
Tsang
Richard
R
Batchelor
Tracy
T
Harris
Nancy
N
Ferreri
Andrés J M
AJ
Ponzoni
Maurilio
M
O'Brien
Peter
P
Rubenstein
James
J
Connors
Joseph M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D008727:Methotrexate