Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Approximately 50% of all patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) are aged ≥65 years; however, this group is relatively understudied, and to the authors's knowledge, optimal treatment for older patients is not well defined.
METHODS:
This was a retrospective review of PCNSL patients aged ≥65 years who were treated at Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center between 1986 and 2008. A multivariate analysis of demographic and clinical variables on prognosis and receipt of treatment was performed.
RESULTS:
One hundred seventy‐four patients between the ages of 65 and 89 years were identified; there was a slight predominance of women (52.9%). One hundred forty‐eight patients were treated with chemotherapy at the time of diagnosis (98% with methotrexate‐based therapy) and 31 of these patients also received whole‐brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Sixteen patients received WBRT alone. A radiographic response to chemotherapy was noted in 76% of patients. Ninety patients developed disease progression after initial treatment; 74 received salvage therapy and 48% of these patients responded to salvage treatment. The median overall survival was 25 months (range, 18‐33 months), and the 3‐year survival rate was 36%. Approximately 20.1% of patients were alive for ≥11 years. WBRT was delivered more frequently before 1998, and patients with a history of prior malignancy were less likely to receive WBRT. Age and performance status were identified as the most important predictors of survival. Treatment‐related neurotoxicity at 2 years was strongly associated with receipt of WBRT (P = .0002).
CONCLUSIONS:
PCNSL in the elderly remains sensitive to methotrexate‐based chemotherapy and aggressive treatment may be warranted both at the time of diagnosis and disease recurrence. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.