Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the brain revisited.

Primary cerebral non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the brain are very rare neoplasms. The pertinent data describing these tumours have been gathered in retrospect and from reviews of postmortem materials. There has been increased interest in this disorder in recent years because of improved diagnostic capabilities. The computerized axial tomography and radiopharmaceutical uptake brain scintiscans are invaluable prebiopsy non-invasive investigative procedures. Brain biopsy and minimal tumour resection are nowadays the preferred modes of surgical treatment. Because more radical surgery and whole brain radiation have failed to control the high rate of systemic relapses, it is generally recommended that Chemotherapy should be incorporated into the primary treatment plan. High dose intravenous methotrexate has been shown to be effective in treatment of residual lymphoma and systemic recurrent tumours.