PRIMARY CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM LYMPHOMAS IN 72 IMMUNOCOMPETENT PATIENTS PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS AND CLINICAL CORRELATIONS

We reviewed 72 primary central nervous system lymphomas occurring in i mmunocompetent patients. The cases were reviewed for clinical data, hi stology, immunophenotype, bcl-2 and p53 expression, and Epstein-Barr v irus association. Follow-up was available for 40 patients included in the Groupe Guest Eat d'etude des Leucenies et Autres Maladies du Sang (GOELAMS) lymphomes cerebraux primitifs (LCP 88) trial. Each diagnosis , requiring a consensus among at least 3 pathologists, was performed a ccording to the recent Revised European-American Lymphoma classificati on and equivalents in the updated Kiel classification. Tumors were pre dominantly classified as diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. There were 3 T-cell lymphomas and I Hodgkin lymphoma. The proteins bcl-2 and p53 we re expressed in 35% and 16% of the tested cases, respectively. Epstein -Barr virus was nor found by in situ hybridization except in the case classified as a cerebral localization of Hodgkin disease. No significa nt association was found between subtypes, bcl-2 or p53 expression, an d patient survival. From the standpoint of their biologic characterist ics, primary central nervous system lymphomas are very similar to syst emic diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. In contrast to AIDS-related prima ry central nervous system lymphomas, primary central nervous system ly mphomas are rarely associated with Epstein-Barr vials and in immunocom petent patients they express bcl-2 at a relatively low rate.