Intravascular Lymphoma in the CNS: Options for Treatment

Purpose of review The purpose of this review was to discuss therapeutic manipulations and effective current interventions available to treat intravascular lymphoma in the central nervous system. Recent findings Patients experienced resolution and remission of disease for 14 months and up to 2 years after eight cycles of R-CHOP and four courses of intrathecal therapy with MTX, cytarabine, and prednisolone. Intravascular use of unfractionated heparin during therapy may contribute to better outcome. Summary Series of therapeutic avenues were analyzed and compared. The effective current treatment of intravascular lymphoma in the CNS is considered to be a combinational intrathecal methotrexate-based chemotherapy with rituximab. Since intrathecal administration bypasses the blood-brain barrier, lower doses can be given, which thereby minimizes systemic toxicity. Practical use of intrathecal chemotherapy is also justified for prophylaxis in intravascular lymphoma-diagnosed patients without CNS involvement.