ABSTRACT
Granulocytic sarcoma is an extramedullary solid tumour consisting of myelogenous leukaemic blast cells, usually seen in acute myeloid leukaemia and less commonly in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia or myeloproliferative disorders. Blast cells have a predilection for periosteal and perineural regions and rarely precede evidence of systemic disease. We present two patients, aleukaemic on peripheral blood counts, both at presentation and during subsequent treatment. We present the MRI features of this rare but important condition.
Subject(s)
Sarcoma, Myeloid/pathology , Spinal Cord Neoplasms/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Sarcoma, Myeloid/drug therapy , Spinal Cord Neoplasms/drug therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Primary intracerebral lymphoma is an uncommon presenting site for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The authors review 28 histopathologically confirmed, consecutive cases, presenting over a 15-year period. The cohort included 20 males and 8 females with a mean age at diagnosis of 54 years (range 27-75 years). Subtotal resection was performed in 8 patients. Radical whole brain irradiation was given to 27 patients. One patient was too unwell to receive treatment and quickly died. Three patients also had chemotherapy. Clinical remission was achieved in 19 patients. Of these, 9 relapsed after a median interval of 18 months. Nine patients (32% total cohort) are still alive and in remission after a median follow-up of 2 years and 10 months (range 11 months to 11 years and 5 months). Cause of death was intracerebral lymphoma in 13 of the 19 patients who died. Median survival was 12 months in this group (range 1 week to 4 years and 9 months). Actuarial 5-year survival for all patients was 19%. The prognosis for patients with primary intracerebral lymphoma treated with radiotherapy alone is poor.
