PRIMARY T-CELL LYMPHOMA OF THE BRAIN IN ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME - CASE-REPORT

In patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), primary ce ntral nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is now the most common noninfect ious intracranial mass lesion and the fourth leading cause of death. M ost cases of PCNSL are B-cell in origin and are only rarely of T-cell origin. We report the first complete clinical description of T-cell PC NSL in a patient with AIDS. This patient underwent stereotactic biopsy of a cerebellar lesion that demonstrated T-cell lymphoma by immunohis tochemical staining. The patient died from opportunistic infection aft er partial radiation therapy. Complete autopsy revealed no evidence of residual T-cell lymphoma. The authors compare T-cell PCNSL in patient s with and without AIDS, and discuss differences between T-cell and B- cell PCNSL. In conclusion, T-cell PCNSL can occur in patients with AID S. The tumor is often located infratentorially and appears to be radio sensitive. However, the patient's survival is short because death is u sually caused by opportunistic infection rather than mass effect from lymphoma.