ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of central nervous system ( PCNS DLBCL). Methods The data of 70 patients with PCNS DLBCL confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed. Survival and prognostic analyses were further conducted in the 66 follow-up patients. Results Median age at diagnosis was 57 years old. The ratio of male and female was 1.3∶1. The time from having symptoms to seeking medical advice was less than 2 months in 54 (77.1%) patients. 44 (62.9 %) patients had increased intracranial pressure, and 26 (37.1 %) patients had limb weakness or hemiplegia symptoms. 37 (52.9%) patients were multiple lesions, 59 (84.3%) cases were supratentorial, and 46 (65.7%) cases showed involvement of deep-brain tissues. Among 66 follow-up patients 7 cases received supportive and palliative care, 27 cases received surgery, 6 cases received radiotherapy, 9 cases received chemotherapy alone, and 21 cases received radiotherapy in addition to chemotherapy. The median overall survival (OS) was 9 months (95 % CI 1-16 months), and the 2-year survival rate was 36.1 %. The median OSs of the supportive and palliative therapy group and the surgery group were 2 months and 3 months, respectively. The median OS of the chemotherapy, radiotherapy or combination group was 33 months (95%CI 22-43 months) and the 2-year OS rate was 56.9 %. The Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the involvement of deep-brain tissues (P=0.04) and not receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy (P=0.00) were related to poor prognosis. Conclusions PCNS DLBCL is a highly aggressive and malignant tumor. Patients undergoing only surgery have poor effect and short survival. The patients with involvement of deep brain tissues have a poor prognosis. The chemotherapy, radiotherapy or combination of them may improve the prognosis.