Primary Central Nervous System (CNS) Lymphoma
Primary CNS lymphoma is a rare tumor confined to your brain, spine, cerebrospinal fluid or eyes. Our in-depth experience speeds your healing.
This type of blood cancer forms a malignant tumor in your central nervous system.
Because we have specialized training in brain tumor treatment, our clinicians offer you innovative, expert care.
Signs and symptoms of CNS lymphoma
New and persistent headaches are a common, early symptom of CNS lymphoma.
A growing tumor can press on your brain, spine or eyes. A buildup of spinal fluid also adds pressure, and tumors and fluid buildup both cause headaches.
There are other symptoms you might notice, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Having trouble thinking, becoming confused easily
- Changes in behavior and personality
- Muscle weakness in the arms and legs
- Changes in vision, including double vision
- Hearing loss
- Balance problems
When to seek care for primary CNS lymphoma
Though rare, primary CNS lymphoma is aggressive, so early treatment is important.
If you feel worsening headaches, weakness, mental confusion, double vision or sudden balance problems, please seek care. Go to the emergency room or contact our Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program.
Make sure to tell us about even mild symptoms. If you can, let us know how long you’ve had them and their severity level. Most people are referred to us after visiting the emergency room with symptoms then getting a suspicious-looking brain scan.
Don’t disregard even mild symptoms
Because malignancies are aggressive, we’ll return your call within 24 hours. If your symptoms feel debilitating, come in right away for an expert evaluation.
Call 714-456-8000 to make an appointment with a brain tumor specialist.
We welcome referrals from community physicians.
To refer a patient to our program, call 714-456-8000 or fill out an online request form. You may also email us at www.ucihealth.org/medical-services/brain-tumor-program/email-us.
One of our brain tumor physicians will return your call within 24 hours. We can see your patient in our offices within 48 hours after insurance approval.
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Primary CNS lymphoma diagnosis at UCI Health
The path to an accurate diagnosis involves our neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, imaging and lab specialists working in collaboration. Together they’ll analyze your test results to create a personalized treatment plan for you.
In addition to lab tests, the typical tests we use to diagnose primary CNS lymphoma include:
- Neurologic exam
We’ll ask you to perform simple tasks to help us assess your vision, coordination and balance. We also look for mood or behavior changes.
- Lumbar puncture
Also known as a spinal tap, we may need to take a sample of spinal fluid from your lower back. We use spinal taps to confirm primary CNS lymphoma, search for infections or rule out other conditions.
- Eye exam
CNS lymphoma frequently disrupts your vision. We work with the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute to give you an appropriate eye exam.
- Imaging tests
A CT scan or an MRI is an imaging test that pinpoints your tumor’s size and location. We also use a body MRI scan to look for issues in the body.
- Biopsy
When we gather a tissue sample (biopsy) from your brain or spinal cord, it helps us confirm or rule out a primary CNS lymphoma diagnosis. A brain biopsy is a surgical procedure.
During the biopsy, we’ll freeze it and have the pathologist examine it. If it is lymphoma, the surgery will stop. Primary CNS lymphoma responds better to chemotherapy than to surgery.
Who is most at risk to get primary CNS lymphoma?
- Men
- People 60 and over
- Those with compromised immune systems, including HIV AIDS or Epstein-Barr virus or those on immunosuppressive therapy
Primary CNS Lymphoma Treatment at UCI Health
Primary CNS lymphoma starts in the brain, spinal cord, spinal fluid or eyes. Secondary CNS lymphoma starts somewhere else in the body then travels to the brain. Secondary CNS lymphoma requires a different treatment approach.
Our treatments
We don’t treat primary CNS lymphoma with surgery since it could damage the deep structures inside your brain.
Instead, we use two primary methods as well as clinical trials.
Why choose UCI Health for primary CNS lymphoma?
Our team offers decades of specialized experience in researching, diagnosing and treating patients with primary CNS lymphoma
We are the regional experts in this condition. Our UCI Health Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program specialists are also experts in every aspect of brain and spine tumor care, treating the highest volume of brain and spine tumor patients in the region.
We have great expertise diagnosing and caring for most rare brain tumors.
As Orange County’s most advanced academic hospital, our clinical trials can provide you with innovative treatments not widely available elsewhere
We’re at the forefront of medicine, constantly seeking new and innovative treatments.
A medication called tirabrutinib is normally used in recurrent primary CNS lymphoma. In a clinical trial, our doctors are giving newly diagnosed patients this class of drug upfront instead of waiting.
This and other innovative treatments are only accessible to you as a UCI Health patient. If you partner with us, make sure to ask us about what current clinical trials are running.
Come to us for a second opinion
Brain tumors are a serious, challenging condition. They require an accurate diagnosis followed by rapid, comprehensive care. Our brain tumor program is nationally known and respected. We gladly provide second opinions far beyond Orange County, California.
Our multidisciplinary approach offers you the expertise of numerous subspecialists under one umbrella
You can expect to work with these exceptionally well-trained experts in a coordinated effort:
- Neuro oncologists
- Medical lymphoma oncologists
- Neurosurgeon (for the biopsy)
- Ophthalmologist
- Pharmacy
- Nurse practitioners
- Nurse navigators
- Therapy services
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy