[Primary intracerebral malignant lymphoma of the aged].

Primary intracerebral malignant lymphoma is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma originating in the central nervous system. It is a rare disease, comprising 1% of all brain tumors and 1.6% of extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but its frequency has increased recently in aged patients. The ages of the 10 patients (8 men and 2 women) ranged from 31 to 79 years and average 56 years. In 5 patients over 60 years old (mean age 72), a solitary lesion was found in 2 patients and multiple lesions in 3 patients on a contrast-enhanced scan. One patients are still alive, but 4 died, after surviving 4 months on average. In 5 patients under 60 years old (average 39), single lesion were present in 4 and multiple in 1. Two patients are still alive three patients have died. Their median survival was 4 years and 11 months. In conclusion, primary intracerebral malignant lymphoma increased frequency in aged patients. Their tumors were generally larger and more often multiple, and their prognosis was definitely poor.