Abstract

Thirty one patients with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the central nervous system (CNS) were treated at the Seoul National University Hospital between Jan. 1978 and Mar. 1989. Clinical records of these patients were analyzed in order to define disease characteristics. clinical course, and risk factors for CNS involvement Six patients had primary CNS lymphoma and twenty five patients had secondary involvement of CNS. 5.3% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients had secondary CNS involvement. Patients less than 30 years of age had increased risk for CNS involvement. Patients who had stage IV lymphoma had CNS invalvement more frequently than expected but without statistical significance. Median survival time was 14 months for primary CNS lymphoma and 4 months for secondary CNS lynsphoma. Cranial irradiation and intrathecal chemotherapy prolonged the survival but standard treatment should be established.