A single-center study of 11 patients with intraocular lymphoma treated with conventional chemotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation in 5 cases

Diagnosis and management of vitreoretinal lymphoma: present and future treatment perspectives

Intraocular lymphoma (IOL) is a rare malignant intraocular lymphocytic tumor that mimics uveitis. IOL is anatomically classified into vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) and uveal lymphoma; most IOLs are VRLs, while uveal lymphoma is rare. VRL is highly malignant, with 60%-85% of patients developing central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma; primary VRL (PVRL) is an ocular disease with poor prognosis. We aimed to review the management and both current and future treatments for VRL. VRL diagnosis is based on the results of cytopathological examination using vitreous biopsy. However, the positive ratio of vitreous cytology remains 29%-70%. A combination of adjunctive tests may improve diagnostic accuracy, but as yet no gold-standard regimen has been established. Methotrexate intravitreal injections are effective in controlling ocular lesions; however, this treatment allows CNS dissemination. The efficacy of systemic chemotherapy in suppressing CNS dissemination has been recently debated. A multicenter prospective study with a unified treatment protocol is required to clarify this issue. In addition, establishing a treatment protocol for elderly patients and those with poor general health is necessary. Moreover, relapsed/refractory VRL and secondary VRL are more difficult to treat than PVRL because they are prone to recurrence. Ibrutinib, lenalidomide with or without rituximab, and temozolomide are promising treatments for relapsed/refractory VRL. In Japan, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have been approved for treating refractory CNS lymphoma. Furthermore, a randomized prospective study of tirabrutinib, a highly selective BTK inhibitor, is ongoing for evaluating the suppressing of CNS progression in patients with PVRL.

[Lymphoma of the eye and its adnexa : Modern pathological diagnostics and systemic treatment]

BACKGROUND

Malignant lymphomas of the eye and its adnexal structures account for approximately 5-15% of extranodal lymphomas. According to anatomic and biological criteria, two large groups of lymphomas in and around the eye need to be distinguished: (1) primary lymphomas of intraocular structures and (2) primary lymphomas of ocular adnexa. Furthermore, there is a large spectrum of secondary manifestations of malignant lymphomas in ocular and periocular structures.

OBJECTIVE

This article gives a summary of the classification and molecular pathology of various intraocular and periocular lymphomas as well as oncological systemic treatment with a focus on primary vitreoretinal lymphomas.

METHODS

A selective literature search was carried out in PubMed on the topic of intraocular and periocular lymphomas and own experiences are presented.

RESULTS

The treatment of primary vitreoretinal lymphomas (PVRL) is an interdisciplinary challenge and despite the apparently localized disease, systemic treatment concepts are necessary to reduce the high risk of secondary involvement of the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, it is crucial that the substances used can penetrate the CNS, and protocols should be chosen in accordance with the treatment concepts for primary CNS lymphomas. The knowledge on the genetics and biology of ocular lymphomas generated by modern high throughput methods enable not only improved diagnostics using molecular methods but also provide rationales for targeted therapeutic approaches.

CONCLUSION

A deep understanding of the biological and molecular principles of intraocular and periocular lymphomas forms a basic prerequisite for precise diagnostics and the use of targeted systemic treatment.

Central Nervous System Progression in Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma with Bilateral and Unilateral Involvement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) is either unilateral or bilateral at initial presentation. Progression to a central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma is regularly observed and these patients seem to have an inferior survival. Knowledge of the predictive value of laterality for CNS progression may facilitate risk stratification and the development of more effective treatment strategies, and eventually, improve outcomes. The objective of this analysis is to estimate the risk of CNS progression for patients with bilateral versus unilateral involvement of PVRL.

METHODS

Systematic literature search for studies on CNS progression in PVRL with bilateral and unilateral involvement according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We assessed the risk of bias and the methodological quality of studies using the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool. Risk ratios of CNS progression in PVRL with bilateral and unilateral involvement were calculated and combined via a meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-five small-sized (total n = 371 cases) studies were included. The majority of the studies were at medium to high risk of bias. Results suggest no significant difference in CNS progression between bilateral and unilateral PVRL, with a pooled relative risk ratio of 1.12 (95% confidence interval 0.89-1.41).

CONCLUSIONS

CNS progression is common in PVRL. From the limited available evidence, there is no significant difference in CNS progression between bilateral and unilateral PVRL.

Clinical Features, Diagnosis, Management and Prognosis of Primary Intraocular Lymphoma

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical features, diagnostic techniques, various treatment strategies and prognosis of primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL).

Methods

The databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Ovid were searched from inception to March 2021 to identify relevant studies. Statistical analyses were performed with R version 3.3.1.

Results

87 studies involving 1484 patients (aged from 14 to 90 years old) were finally included. The pooling results indicated PIOL patients were female, elderly, binocular and B cell type dominated. About 19% have central nervous system (CNS) involvement at the first visit. During follow-up, the incidence of CNS involvement, death rate, 2-year and 5-year survival rate, 1-year and 2-year progression-free survival, and recurrence rate were 58%, 33%, 82%, 70%, 88%, 70%, 44%, respectively. The most common recurrent site was CNS. The delayed diagnosis rate was 85%, the misdiagnosed rate was 64%. The diagnostic technique with the highest positive rate was IL10:IL6>1 of aqueous (98%). The most common symptoms, signs, FFA and OCT features were blurring of vision (72%), vitreous inflammatory opacity (92%), FA/FAF reversal (91%) and hyper-reflective foci in posterior vitreous (53%), respectively. The prognosis of PIOL patients without CNS involvement was obviously better than those with CNS involvement. Overall, intravitreal injection of chemotherapy drug plus systemic chemotherapy (IV+CT) could achieve satisfactory prognosis, the combination of local radiotherapy (RT) could further decrease the recurrent and death rate.

Conclusion

PIOL patients with CNS involvement had significantly worse prognosis. The aqueous humor examination should be regarded as first-line and routine diagnostic technique. IV+CT could achieve satisfactory prognosis, the combination of RT was also beneficial.

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma: A diagnostic and management challenge

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) is a rare form of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) arising in the intraocular compartment without brain involvement. Despite its apparent indolent clinical course, PVRL can cause permanent vision loss and CNS relapse, the major cause of death in PVRL patients. The pathophysiology of PVRL is unknown. As in PCNSL, the transformation of the tumor cells likely originates outside the CNS, before the cells migrate to the eye and proliferate within an immune-permissive microenvironment. PVRL exhibits a biased immunoglobulin repertoire, suggesting underlying antigen selection. The diagnosis remains challenging, requiring close coordination between ophthalmologists and cytologists. Because of their rarity and fragility in the vitreous, lymphoma cells cannot always be identified. Interleukin levels, molecular biology and imaging are used in combination with clinical ophthalmological examination to support the diagnosis of PVRL. Multi-institutional prospective studies are urgently needed to validate the equivocal conclusions regarding treatments drawn from heterogeneous retrospective or small cohort studies. Intravitreal injections of methotrexate or rituximab or local radiotherapy are effective at clearing tumor cells within the eyes but do not prevent CNS relapse. Systemic treatment based on high-dose methotrexate chemotherapy, with or without local treatment, might reduce this risk. At relapse, intensive consolidation chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation can be considered. Single-agent ibrutinib, lenalidomide and temozolomide treatments are effective in patients with relapsed PVRL and should be tested as first-line treatments. Therapeutic response assessment based on a clinical examination is improved by measuring cytokine levels but still needs to be refined.

Temozolomide is effective and well tolerated in patients with primary vitreoretinal lymphoma

Baron et al report excellent responses to temozolomide in 21 patients (19 relapsed/refractory) with primary vitreoretinal lymphoma. Treatment is well tolerated, even in elderly patients.

Consolidation Therapy in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

OPINION STATEMENT

Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a complex disease with no agreed-upon standard-of-care therapy. Induction therapy involves multiagent chemotherapy based on high-dose methotrexate, with several regimens available. We have a preference for a regimen using rituximab, methotrexate (3.5 g/m2), procarbazine, and vincristine (R-MPV) for initial induction therapy, given the favorable balance between toxicities and very high response rates (80-90%), which allow for decreasing disease burden and increasing the effectiveness of consolidation treatments. However, in the absence of consolidation therapies, R-MPV is not an effective regimen to achieve long-term remission.Based on high rates of long-term remission, our first choice for consolidation therapy is high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplant using thiotepa, busulfan, and cyclophosphamide as a myeloablative regimen, with a curative intent. This typically applies to patients with a favorable performance status at the end of induction, typically with ECOG performance status of 2 or better, adequate organ function, and age younger than 70. Patients with a high transplant-related mortality risk may still be considered for milder myeloablative regimens such as carmustine/thiotepa.For patients who are not transplant candidates, we typically offer consolidation with reduced dose whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) (23.4 Gy), which seems to be associated with lower risks of neurotoxicity as compared with higher doses of radiation. For patients who are not transplant candidates and that do not accept the risk of cognitive decline from the radiotherapy, we typically offer consolidation high-dose cytarabine, provided the patient understands the high risk of relapse. For these patients, a clinical trial is strongly recommended.

An audit of retinal lymphoma treatment at the University of California San Francisco

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To evaluate retinal lymphoma treatment at the University of California San Francisco.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Prospective observational audit. Patients were treated systemically, usually with: methotrexate, temozolomide, and rituximab induction; etoposide consolidation; and maintenance with lenalidomide or another immunomodulatory agent. Persistent disease was treated initially by ocular radiotherapy or intravitreal melphalan and latterly by vitrectomy.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised eight females and two males. The median age was 58 years (range, 38-73). Ocular manifestations were initially unilateral in four patients. Vitreous and subretinal infiltrates were initially present in 16 and 12 eyes, respectively, with three eyes having vision of 20/200 or worse. Four patients had a history of central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. The median ophthalmic follow-up was 37 months (range, 8-56). Diagnostic and therapeutic vitrectomy were performed in 10 and 2 eyes, respectively. All patients had systemic chemotherapy and eight received maintenance immunotherapy. Four patients underwent ocular radiotherapy, bilaterally in two. One patient received bilateral intravitreal melphalan injections. Two eyes of four patients developed lymphoma during the study and two patients developed CNS disease. At study close, subretinal deposits were subtle in nine eyes and more prominent in two, whereas vitreous infiltrates were minimal in nine eyes, mild in one and moderate in one. The latest visual acuity was significantly worse than at presentation in two eyes and better in two. All patients were alive with no active CNS disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Subretinal lymphomatous infiltrates respond to systemic chemotherapy with immunomodulatory maintenance, but dense vitreous infiltrates require therapeutic vitrectomy.

Eye involvement in primary central nervous system lymphoma

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) may manifest initially in the eye (termed vitreoretinal lymphoma or VRL) or in non-ocular CNS compartments, or in both. The nature of the onset of PCNSL implies two clinical specialists - ophthalmologists and neuro-oncologists - independently may assess the primary presentation of this rare malignancy. Clinically relevant perspectives on expectations of PCNSL manifestation in both ocular and non-ocular CNS compartments would help inform management practices in each specialty, which should impact clinical outcomes. A recent increase in the number of published PCNSL cohort studies provides new opportunity to review the current prevalence rates of ocular involvement, and the timing of this involvement over the course of disease. In PCNSL cohorts defined by non-ocular CNS compartment involvement, with or without ocular involvement (termed "PCNSL ± ocular involvement" cohorts), mean rates of concomitant VRL at diagnosis, or at any time during the course, are 10% and 16%, respectively. Only a few individuals within this cohort group present with exclusive eye disease (<5%), and the rate of secondary ocular involvement is only 5-9%. In PCNSL cohorts defined by the involvement of the ocular compartment, with or without non-ocular CNS involvement (termed "VRL ± non-ocular CNS involvement" cohorts), 58% of persons have a primary ocular diagnosis, which carries a 50% risk of secondary involvement in the CNS beyond the eye. Rates of non-ocular CNS involvement with VRL at diagnosis or over the course of disease are 41% and 69%, respectively.

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma: prevalence, impact, and management challenges

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) is a rare and potentially fatal intraocular malignancy. More than half of PVRL cases eventually involve the central nervous system (CNS). PVRL frequently masquerades as chronic uveitis. Advanced imaging tests, such as optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence, have been applied in the diagnosis of PVRL. Histology and immunohistochemistry, in combination with molecular tests and IL-10 analysis, have been demonstrated as reliable in diagnosing PVRL. Mortality is high in patients with PVRL associated with CNS involvement, and relapses are common. The use of systemic chemotherapy in addition to the local therapies has proved to extend the mean survival time of these patients. Local therapies, including intravitreal injections of methotrexate and/or rituximab and low-dose radiotherapy to the eye, have been shown to be extremely effective in controlling intraocular lymphoma.

Acute and late toxicity of bilateral orbital irradiation in the management of primary intraocular lymphoma

Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is a rare malignancy with poor outcomes. Concerns regarding toxicity lead some clinicians to exclude orbital radiation therapy (RT). We aimed to quantify the ocular toxicity of RT in 11 PIOL patients treated with chemoimmunotherapy and bilateral orbital RT (median 36 Gy). A multidisciplinary team, including an ocular oncologist, followed patients for a median of 42 months after RT. Common adverse events included dermatitis (100%), conjunctivitis (82%), xerophthalmia (64%), and keratopathy (45%). All phakic eyes developed cataracts (100%); correction resulted in good vision recovery. New, visually significant retinopathy was observed in only one eye (<5%) and affected a patient with preexisting diabetes. This report suggests that severe, vision-threatening complications following orbital RT are uncommon. In the absence of comorbidities, orbital RT should not be withheld due to fear of vision-threatening toxicity. The risk of toxicity may be augmented by comorbidities, so an individualized approach is recommended.

Intra-Ocular Lymphoma with and without CNS Involvement: Diagnosis and Follow-up a Report of 15 Cases Studied by MR

In order to assess the value of MRI in the diagnosis and follow-up of intra-ocular lymphoma, a rare form of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the central nervous system, we retrospectively reviewed fifteen patients.

All patients had ophthalmic investigations and 13 underwent ocular sampling. MR examinations of the brain and globes were performed in all cases and five patients underwent stereotactic brain biopsy. Six patients were treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, and nine with high-dose chemotherapy, followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation in five cases. MR follow-up was available in all cases.

All 15 patients had chronic uveitis which preceded the diagnosis and abnormal funduscopic findings. Three had a mild or severe neurologic deficit. Initial MRI showed brain lymphoma lesions in six cases and a choroido-retinal tumour in one. MR brain lesions were multiple in four cases. They appeared as contrast-enhanced infiltrating areas (n=11) or expansive masses (n=3); two lesions appeared as infiltrating high-signal T2 areas but were unenhanced on T1 with GdDTPA.

The diagnosis was based on vitrectomy in 11 cases and on stereotactic brain biopsy in four. Of the twelve lumbar punctures which were performed one was positive. Contrast enhancement disappeared during treatment in all cases, but isolated signal abnormalities persisted. The long-term outcome of such lesions in patients with an intact blood-brain barrier is not yet known. Ocular relapses occurred in 14 patients and CNS recurrences in four. Three patients died from CNS failure (n=1) or relapse (n=2), five are alive in partial remission, five are in complete remission and two died in remission from other causes. Follow-up ranges from 12 to 78 months (median 36 months).

MRI usually failed to detect intra-ocular lesions but identified clinically occult brain lesions and served to guide stereotactic brain biopsy when other samples were negative. MRI is the most sensitive follow-up method during treatment, even when the blood-brain barrier is intact.

Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma: Management of Isolated Ocular Disease

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for patients with primary vitreoretinal is dismal. The close association of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma with primary central nervous system lymphoma is responsible for high rates of mortality. Traditional treatments consist of systemic chemotherapy and whole-brain radiotherapy. The optimal approach for the treatment of isolated primary vitreoretinal lymphoma is unclear.

METHODS

A review of the relevant medical and scientific literature was performed, focusing on the clinical features of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma and the progress made in the management of isolated ocular disease.

RESULTS

Ocular treatment options for primary vitreoretinal lymphoma have recently expanded with the addition of intravitreal chemotherapeutic agents and localized radiation. Based on several retrospective reports, a general shift has been made toward local therapy (eg, orbital radiotherapy, intravitreal chemotherapy) for ocular disease. No prospective, randomized clinical trials yet exist to guide therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Optimal treatment regimens for isolated primary vitreoretinal lymphoma continue to evolve. Further investigations into novel therapies and protocols are needed to decrease recurrence rates, reduce or prevent central nervous system involvement, and improve rates of overall survival.

Intensive chemoimmunotherapy and bilateral globe irradiation as initial therapy for primary intraocular lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Primary intraocular lymphoma is a rare variant of primary CNS lymphoma for which the optimum treatment strategy remains unknown.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective single-center study including patients who underwent uniform management from October 2007 in which patients were offered sequential rituximab, methotrexate, procarbazine, and vincristine (R-MPV) followed by binocular radiotherapy and consolidative high-dose cytarabine.

RESULTS

Eleven patients with median age 66 years (range, 48-72) were included. All patients received binocular radiotherapy to a median dose of 36 Gy (range, 30.6-39.6) in 20 fractions. Grade 3+ anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia occurred in 1 (9%), 2 (18%), and 3 (27%) patients, respectively; raised creatinine and peripheral sensory neuropathy occurred in 4 (36%) and 3 (27%) patients, respectively. Grade 3+ ocular toxicities included cataract formation and keratitis in 6 (54%) and 3 (27%) patients, respectively. Ten patients (91%) achieved complete response and 1 (9%) partial response. After median follow-up of 4.2 years (range, 1.8-7.6), the median progression-free survival was 3.8 years and the estimated 4-year overall survival was 75.8% (95% CI: 30.5%-93.7%). The initial site of disease progression was the CNS in 4 of 7 patients (57%) and within the eye in 3 of 7 (43%). Five patients achieved responses to salvage therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined modality treatment with R-MPV, binocular radiation, and high-dose cytarabine is effective with moderate toxicity. Both local and CNS relapses occur; however, the achievement of second and subsequent remissions is possible.

Effectiveness and safety of thiotepa as conditioning treatment prior to stem cell transplant in patients with central nervous system lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Thiothepa is a cytostatic agent used in managing solid malignancies, and also as conditioning treatment before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [HSCT]. This systematic review summarizes evidence on its effectiveness and safety, in patients with central nervous system [CNS] lymphoma.

METHODS

We searched 3 databases for clinical studies. When feasible, we performed meta-analyses.

RESULTS

We identified 13 eligible studies, none of which with a priori controls. So data synthesis focused on the 226 patients who received thiotepa. Based on pooled estimates, 75.9% of thiotepa-treated patients achieved a complete remission (95% confidence interval [CI] = 67.5-82.8), and 61.7% had a progression-free survival for up to 125 months post-treatment (95% CI = 49.4-72.7). However, 25.5% relapsed, 24.6% experienced infection, and 13.2% experienced neurotoxicity.

DISCUSSION

Thiotepa-based conditioning followed by HSCT may be effective in most CNS lymphoma patients, with a manageable toxicity profile. But adequately powered randomized trials are needed to better evaluate and isolate the effects of thiotepa.

Primary intraocular lymphoma

Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is an ocular malignancy that is a subset of primary central system lymphoma (PCNSL). Approximately one-third of PIOL patients will have concurrent PCNSL at presentation, and 42-92% will develop PCNSL within a mean of 8-29 months. Although rare, the incidence has been rising in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent populations. The majority of PIOL is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, though rare T-cell variants are described. Recently, PIOL has been classified by main site of involvement in the eye, with vitreoretinal lymphoma as the most common type of ocular lymphoma related to PCNSL. Diagnosis remains challenging for ophthalmologists and pathologists. PIOL can masquerade as noninfectious or infectious uveitis, white dot syndromes, or occasionally as other neoplasms such as metastatic cancers. Laboratory diagnosis by cytology has been much aided by the use of immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, biochemical finding of interleukin changes (IL10:IL6 ratio > 1), and cellular microdissection with polymerase chain reaction amplification for clonality. Use of several tests improves the diagnostic yield. Approaches to treatment have centered on systemic methotrexate-based chemotherapy, often with cytarabine (Ara-C) and radiotherapy. Use of intravitreal chemotherapy with methotrexate (0.4 mg/0.1 mL) is promising in controlling ocular disease, and intravitreal rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) has also been tried. Despite these advances, prognosis remains poor.

Local chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of ocular malignancies

We critically analyze available peer-reviewed literature, including clinical trials and case reports, on local ocular cancer treatments. Recent innovations in many areas of ocular oncology have introduced promising new therapies, but, for the most part, the optimal treatment of ocular malignancies remains elusive.

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma: a report from an International Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Collaborative Group symposium

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL), also known as primary intraocular lymphoma, is a rare malignancy typically classified as a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and most frequently develops in elderly populations. PVRL commonly masquerades as posterior uveitis and has a unique tropism for the retina and central nervous system (CNS). Over 15% of primary CNS lymphoma patients develop intraocular lymphoma, usually occurring in the retina and/or vitreous. Conversely, 65%-90% of PVRL patients develop CNS lymphoma. Consequently, PVRL is often fatal because of ultimate CNS association. Current PVRL animal models are limited and require further development. Typical clinical findings include vitreous cellular infiltration (lymphoma and inflammatory cells) and subretinal tumor infiltration as determined using dilated fundoscopy, fluorescent angiography, and optical coherent tomography. Currently, PVRL is most often diagnosed using both histology to identify lymphoma cells in the vitreous or retina and immunohistochemistry to indicate monoclonality. Additional adjuncts in diagnosing PVRL exist, including elevation of interleukin-10 levels in ocular fluids and detection of Ig(H) or T-cell receptor gene rearrangements in malignant cells. The optimal therapy for PVRL is not defined and requires the combined effort of oncologists and ophthalmologists. PVRL is sensitive to radiation therapy and exhibits high responsiveness to intravitreal methotrexate or rituximab. Although systemic chemotherapy alone can result in high response rates in patients with PVRL, there is a high relapse rate. Because of the disease rarity, international, multicenter, collaborative efforts are required to better understand the biology and pathogenesis of PVRL as well as to define both diagnostic markers and optimal therapies.

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma: a report from an International Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Collaborative Group symposium

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL), also known as primary intraocular lymphoma, is a rare malignancy typically classified as a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and most frequently develops in elderly populations. PVRL commonly masquerades as posterior uveitis and has a unique tropism for the retina and central nervous system (CNS). Over 15% of primary CNS lymphoma patients develop intraocular lymphoma, usually occurring in the retina and/or vitreous. Conversely, 65%-90% of PVRL patients develop CNS lymphoma. Consequently, PVRL is often fatal because of ultimate CNS association. Current PVRL animal models are limited and require further development. Typical clinical findings include vitreous cellular infiltration (lymphoma and inflammatory cells) and subretinal tumor infiltration as determined using dilated fundoscopy, fluorescent angiography, and optical coherent tomography. Currently, PVRL is most often diagnosed using both histology to identify lymphoma cells in the vitreous or retina and immunohistochemistry to indicate monoclonality. Additional adjuncts in diagnosing PVRL exist, including elevation of interleukin-10 levels in ocular fluids and detection of Ig(H) or T-cell receptor gene rearrangements in malignant cells. The optimal therapy for PVRL is not defined and requires the combined effort of oncologists and ophthalmologists. PVRL is sensitive to radiation therapy and exhibits high responsiveness to intravitreal methotrexate or rituximab. Although systemic chemotherapy alone can result in high response rates in patients with PVRL, there is a high relapse rate. Because of the disease rarity, international, multicenter, collaborative efforts are required to better understand the biology and pathogenesis of PVRL as well as to define both diagnostic markers and optimal therapies.

Clinical review: treatment of vitreoretinal lymphoma

Vitreoretinal lymphoma is the most common type of intraocular lymphoma. It is mostly a high-grade B-cell malignancy with a poor prognosis, and is often associated with primary central nervous system lymphoma. Since intraocular lymphoma was first recognized almost 60 years ago, its treatment has gradually evolved. In the early years enucleation was often performed. Since that time, radiation therapy alone, systemic chemotherapy alone, or a combination of the two have been used extensively Because of the limited intraocular penetration of drugs administered systemically, the systemic and local toxicity of chemotherapy and radiation therapy and the high rate of recurrence, intravitreous chemotherapy, mainly using methotrexate, has become popular in the last decade, with encouraging results. More recently, biological treatment with intravitreal injections of rituximab has been investigated, with good results and minimal side effects. This review summarizes the present knowledge on vitreoretinal lymphoma therapy, with an eye to future molecular approaches.

Retinal fluorescein, indocyanine green angiography, and optic coherence tomography in non-Hodgkin primary intraocular lymphoma

PURPOSE

To determine the presence of clinicopathological correlations for primary intraocular non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)in fluorescein angiographies (FA), indocyanine green (ICGA) angiographies, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images.

DESIGN

Comparative retrospective interventional case series.

METHODS

Institutional practice. All serial patients who underwent vitreous sampling for cytological analysis over a 70-month period were reviewed. Clinical, angiographic, and tomographic findings present prior to tissue diagnosis were re-evaluated in a masked fashion.

RESULTS

Cytological analysis of 256 vitreous specimens from 244 patients was performed. The final diagnoses were infections in 42 cases (17.2%) and immune-mediated diseases in 34 cases (13.9%). In 59 cases (24.2%), neoplastic disease was present, and 53 (21.7%) of these were primary intraocular NHL. OCT images showed nodular hyperreflective lesions in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of both intraocular NHL and nonintraocular NHL patients. Clusters of numerous hypofluorescent small lesions revealed by FA that corresponded to punctate whitish lesions in the fundus and rare round clustered hypofluorescent lesions revealed by ICGA were associated with intraocular NHL diagnosis. The positive predictive value was 88.9% and the negative predictive value was 85%. The odds ratio risk was 45.22.

CONCLUSION

The presence of clusters of round stable hypofluorescent lesions in FA that are scarce in ICGA, with corresponding RPE hyperreflective nodular lesions on OCT, warrants obtaining biopsies for cytology, immunostaining, and molecular biology exams.

Intraocular lymphoma: update on diagnosis and management

BACKGROUND

Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is a subset of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) in which lymphoma cells initially invade the retina, vitreous, or optic nerve head, with or without concomitant CNS involvement. The incidence of this previously rare condition has increased dramatically. Given its nonspecific presentation and aggressive course, PIOL provides a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

METHODS

We review the current strategies for diagnosis and treatment of PIOL and present our own experience with PIOL.

RESULTS

Recent developments in the diagnosis of PIOL include immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, cytokine evaluation, and molecular analysis. However, definitive diagnosis still requires harvesting of tissue for histopathology. Optimal treatment for PIOL remains unclear. Initial therapeutic regimens should include methotrexate-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the brain and eye. In addition, promising results have been seen with intravitreal methotrexate and autologous stem cell transplantation for recurrent and refractory disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Efforts to further determine the immunophenotype and molecular characteristics of PIOL will continue to assist in the diagnosis of PIOL. Future studies are required to determine the role of radiotherapy and optimal local and systemic chemotherapeutic regimens.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma treated with high-dose methotrexate, high-dose busulfan/thiotepa, autologous stem-cell transplantation and response-adapted whole-brain radiotherapy: results of the multicenter Ostdeutsche Studiengruppe Hamato-Onkologie OSHO-53 phase II study

BACKGROUND

We investigated the efficacy and safety of tandem high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) induction followed by high-dose busulfan/thiotepa (HD-BuTT) with autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation (aPBSCT) and response-adapted whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) in patients with newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-three patients were treated with HD-MTX on days 1 and 10. In case of at least a partial remission (PR), HD-BuTT followed by aPBSCT was given. Patients without response to induction or without complete remission (CR) after HD-BuTT received WBRT.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients received HD-MTX and HD-BuTT achieving a CR/PR rate of 69%/13%. CR/PR rates for all patients (n = 23) were 70%/13%. There were three deaths during therapy. With longer follow-up three neurotoxic deaths occurred in irradiated patients (n = 9), while no persistent neurotoxicity was seen after HD-BuTT without subsequent WBRT. At a median follow-up of 15 months (range 1-69) median event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients were 17 and 20 months (Kaplan-Meier), after HD-BuTT 27 months and "not reached", respectively. Estimated 2-year EFS and OS were 45% and 48% for all patients versus 56% and 61% for the HD-BuTT group, respectively.

CONCLUSION

MTX induction followed by HD-BuTT is an effective and very short time-on-treatment regimen. Median survival for patients treated with high-dose chemotherapy is not reached yet. The induction regimen needs optimisation. In this study WBRT was associated with a high incidence of severe neurotoxicity.

Relapse of primary central nervous system lymphoma: clinical features, outcome and prognostic factors

Data on relapsed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) are limited. We have evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcome of relapsed PCNSL patients from two German trials. Patients with relapsed disease after primary treatment were studied. Primary therapy consisted of high-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy in all patients. Treatment for relapse was not predetermined. After a median follow-up of 22.5 months, 52 (36%) patients with relapse were identified among 143 patients with complete remission (CR) after primary treatment. The median disease-free survival was 10.25 (3-47.5) months. The median age at relapse was 59 years. Forty-four of 51 evaluable patients relapsed within the CNS, 6 systemically and one both cerebrally and systemically. The median survival time after first relapse was 4.5 (0.5-40.5) months. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) at relapse (P = 0.004), site of relapse (isolated systemic versus other, P = 0.049) and treatment for relapse (versus no treatment, P = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for survival after relapse in multivariate analysis. Survival of patients with relapsed PCNSL is poor despite high response rates to salvage therapy. Good KPS, isolated systemic relapse and treatment for relapse were significantly associated with longer survival.

Treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare neoplasm that has captured popular attention because of its rising incidence and marked chemosensitivity. It is a non-Hodgkins B-cell lymphoma (NHL) that appears confined to the central nervous system (CNS) at presentation but may be multifocal within the brain or involve the leptomeninges or eyes at diagnosis. Like systemic lymphoma, it is highly sensitive to corticosteroids, and administration of steroids should be withheld until the diagnosis has been confirmed histologically. Currently, the initial treatment of choice incorporates high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) either as a single agent or in combination with other systemic chemotherapies. Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) can be a highly effective treatment modality when combined with MTX, but the combination causes an unacceptably high incidence of severe permanent neurotoxicity, particularly in patients over age 60. Therefore, chemotherapy alone is the initial treatment of choice in older patients. This approach is also being explored in younger patients, but it is possible that deferring radiotherapy may compromise disease control. Consequently, the role of radiotherapy remains to be clarified in newly diagnosed younger patients with PCNSL.

Primary intraocular lymphoma: a review of the clinical, histopathological and molecular biological features

INTRODUCTION

Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma which arises in the retina or the vitreous. It can occur either together with or independently of primary cerebral nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL); the incidence of the latter has significantly increased over the past three decades. PIOL remains one of the most difficult diagnoses to establish, particularly due to its ability to mimic other diseases in the eye and to the limited material which is often available for examination.

METHODS

The article reviews the clinical, histopathological, molecular biological and biochemical approaches to the diagnosis of PIOL. The differential diagnoses, including other lymphomatous manifestations in the eye, e.g. primary uveal lymphoma, as well as non-neoplastic uveal diseases are addressed. Furthermore, the treatment strategies for PIOL are summarised.

RESULTS

Diagnostic progress has been made in various fields, including flow cytometry and immunocytology, cytokine analysis, and as well as molecular biological analysis of the immunoglobulin heavy and light chains using polymerase chain reaction on both fixed and non-fixed material. The optimal therapy of PIOL remains to be determined: the current trends suggest that combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as intravitreal chemotherapy, are of value. Novel therapies which may have a role in the future include oral trofosfamide.

CONCLUSION

Our understanding of the pathogenesis of PIOL/PCNSL remains far from complete. Intensified efforts must be made to determine the cell of origin of PIOL, as well as to establish "molecular signatures", which could be used to decrease diagnostic delay. Further studies, possibly prospective ones, are required to establish the optimal therapy for initial and recurrent disease.

Pseudouveitis: a clue to the diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma in immunocompetent patients

Primary oculocerebral non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) of the immunocompetent patient is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, but early diagnosis and follow-up may improve prognosis. The eye, anatomically and embryologically part of the central nervous system (CNS), can be the primary site of the lymphomatous process. In patients with symptoms of atypical uveitis, vitrectomy can be of great help for early diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma. We retrospectively reviewed the diagnostic features, treatment, and evolution of 10 patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma who presented with symptoms of pseudouveitis. The patients complained of chronic vitreal opacities, increasing with time. These symptoms contrasted with the absence of the usual signs of inflammation of the anterior segment or of the retina, which characterize true uveitis. Vitrectomy was proposed after lumbar puncture and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging. Six vitrectomies were carried out, 3 patients had a stereotaxic biopsy, and 1 patient had a cardiac biopsy. A pathologic diagnosis of large B-cell lymphoma was made on vitrectomy specimens in 100% of the patients who had this procedure. The mean time from onset of ocular symptoms to diagnosis was 24 months. This series was characterized by a rare systemic dissemination of the NHL (negative in 80%), a strong preponderance of B-cell NHL, and the absence of association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) among these immunocompetent patients. To our knowledge, this series includes the only reported case of oculocardiac lymphoma. Meningeal dissemination appeared to be associated with a poor prognosis. Neurologic complications of treatment combining radiotherapy and methotrexate were significant among patients older than 60 years of age. The current study suggests that primary central nervous system lymphoma should be suspected in patients with pseudouveitis, and that the diagnosis can be established quickly and without side effects by vitrectomy. These patients should be followed carefully in order to detect meningeal dissemination.

Biological diagnosis of primary intraocular lymphoma

Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is a rare presentation of lymphoma that is particularly difficult to recognize. In our institution, 36 cases of PIOL were diagnosed between March 1997 and July 2002. The recognition of lymphoma cells by cytology with or without immunophenotyping on slides generated a strong suspicion of the diagnosis in 34 of 36 cases. The diagnosis was confirmed by measurement of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the vitreous humour or aqueous humour; high levels were observed in 35 of 36 cases, all were of B-cell origin. As expected, the only case with T-cell lymphoma had a very low level of IL-10. Furthermore, IL-10 levels excluded this diagnosis in two cases that were incorrectly suspected of PIOL after cytological examination. Finally, detection of clonality by polymerase chain reaction techniques, performed in 29 cases, represented a helpful tool in diagnosing PIOL as this approach definitively confirmed the diagnosis of B- or T-cell lymphoma in 17 cases.

Primary ocular lymphoma: clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment

Primary ocular lymphoma involves the globe in the absence of any systemic or central nervous system lymphoma. Diagnosis is frequently delayed and often made only after the tumor has progressed to the brain and meninges. Clinical features, cues in ancillary tests, and immunologic and molecular advances that support the diagnosis are reviewed. The current treatment options are discussed. Although advances have been made, the optimal treatment for primary ocular lymphoma remains to be identified

High-dose thiotepa, busulfan, cyclophosphamide and ASCT without whole-brain radiotherapy for poor prognosis primary CNS lymphoma

Treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) with combined high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-based chemotherapy and whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is associated with severe neurotoxicity, but high relapse rates are associated with the use of either modality alone. In an attempt to improve upon these dismal results, we treated seven PCNSL patients with HD-MTX-based induction therapy followed by thiotepa, busulfan, cyclophosphamide (TBC), and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), without WBRT. Six of these patients had at least one of the following poor prognostic features: Karnofsky performance status (KPS) <or=50%, age >60 years, or relapsed disease. All but one patient tolerated the treatment well and experienced improvements in neurological function and overall performance status post-transplant. No treatment-induced neurotoxicity (dementia, ataxia, and incontinence) was observed although the follow-up is short. One early treatment-related death occurred in a patient with multiple comorbid medical conditions. The other six patients achieved a complete response (CR) after TBC and ASCT. Five patients are currently alive and relapse-free at 5, 8, 24, 36, and 42 months from diagnosis. One additional patient relapsed and died 33 months after diagnosis. Two of the seven patients received TBC/ASCT as the only treatment after disease progression following their initial chemotherapy and both remain relapse-free at the time of this report, 22 and 31 months post-TBC/ASCT. In conclusion, prolonged CR can be attained after chemotherapy-only treatment of poor prognosis PCNSL. Furthermore, this small series suggests that high-dose chemotherapy for PCNSL should include drugs that penetrate the CNS such as busulfan and thiotepa rather than standard lymphoma regimens such as BEAM.

Relevance of intraocular involvement in the management of primary central nervous system lymphomas

BACKGROUND

Reported data regarding intraocular lymphoma (IOL) management are anecdotal. Cases of IOL included in an international multicentre series of 378 immunocompetent patients with primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs) were reviewed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Staging included slit-lamp examination in 170 patients: IOL was diagnosed in 22 cases (13%). A concomitant brain lesion was detected in 21 cases. Planned treatment was chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy in 13 cases, chemotherapy alone in three and radiotherapy, followed by or not by chemotherapy in five; one patient was not treated. Chemotherapy included high-dose methotrexate in 12 cases. Ten patients received intrathecal chemotherapy. Radiotherapy consisted of whole brain irradiation, followed by or not by a tumour bed boost; ocular irradiation was planned in 15 cases. Irradiation in one patient without brain lesions was limited to the orbits only (50 Gy).

RESULTS

IOL was positively correlated to systemic symptoms and meningeal disease. Fifteen patients (71%) achieved an objective response; 16 patients experienced a failure (2-year failure-free survival 34+/-10%). Failures involved the eyes in eight cases, with a 2-year time to ocular relapse of 59+/-11%. Ocular failure was less common in patients treated with chemotherapy plus ocular irradiation and was associated with a significantly shorter survival. Seven patients are alive [median follow-up 53 months, 2-year overall survival (OS): 39+/-11%] , five of whom were treated with ocular irradiation. The patient with isolated IOL is alive and disease-free at 14 months. OS of the entire series was similar to that of PCNSL patients with negative slit-lamp examination.

CONCLUSIONS

IOL is usually associated with concomitant brain disease and shows a survival similar to that of the rest of PCNSLs. Chemotherapy combined with ocular irradiation resulted in better control of ocular disease, which seems to be associated with survival. In view of the potential role of ocular irradiation, the use of chemotherapy alone in phase II trials should be critically reconsidered in PCNSL patients with ocular disease.

Ocular manifestations of central nervous system lymphoma

Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is a variant of primary central nervous system lymphoma in which lymphoma cells are initially present only in the eyes without evidence of disease in the brain or cerebrospinal fluid. Patients with PIOL are typically older adults who present with blurred vision and floaters. The ophthalmic examination characteristically shows a cellular infiltrate in the vitreous with or without the presence of subretinal infiltrates. Diagnostic evaluation for PIOL includes neuroimaging, cytologic examination of the cerebrospinal fluid, and a diagnostic vitrectomy with special handling of the vitreous specimen, if the former is nondiagnostic. Molecular and cytokine analyses are useful adjuncts to cytology for the diagnosis of PIOL. Recent molecular studies demonstrating viral DNA in the ocular lymphoma cells suggest a role for infectious agents in the pathogenesis of PIOL. To date, the best mode for treatment of PIOL or recurrent primary central nervous system lymphoma involving only the eyes remains undefined.

Results of intensive chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem-cell rescue in 22 patients with refractory or recurrent primary CNS lymphoma or intraocular lymphoma

PURPOSE

To assess the feasibility and efficacy of intensive chemotherapy with hematopoietic stem-cell rescue (IC + HCR) in patients with refractory or recurrent primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) or intraocular lymphoma (IOL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

IC consisted of thiotepa 250 mg/m(2)/d days -9 through -7, busulfan 10 mg/kg (total dose) days -6 through -4, and cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg/d days -3 and -2. Intravenous clonazepam 2 mg/d was given prophylactically from the day before initiation of busulfan therapy to the day after completion of busulfan therapy. Patients with refractory or recurrent PCNSL underwent IC + HCR only if they were chemosensitive to two cycles of salvage treatment with cytarabine (2 g/m(2)/d days 2 through 5 and 50 mg/m(2)/d days 1 through 5 in a 12-hour infusion) and etoposide (VP-16; 200 mg/m(2)/d days 2 through 5) (CYVE). Patients with IOL refractory to high-dose methotrexate (MTX) and cytarabine entered the IC + HCR program directly.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients (10 with relapses, 12 with refractory disease) were enrolled. Twenty patients entered the IC + HCR program: twelve entered after CYVE treatment, seven entered directly, and one had previously been retreated with high-dose MTX. Before IC, eight patients were in complete remission (CR), four were in partial remission (PR), one had stable disease, and seven had refractory disease. After IC + HCR, 16 patients entered CR, two remained in PR, one had stable disease, and one had disease progression. Fourteen patients remained alive (median follow-up time, 41.5 months). The overall probability of survival at 3 years was 63.7%. After IC, that probability was 60% and the 3-year probability of event-free survival was 53%. Seven patients had neurologic adverse events during the entire procedure.

CONCLUSION

IC + HCR proved feasible and effective in patients with refractory or recurrent PCNSL or IOL. The entire procedure seemed to be most toxic in patients > or = 60 years. A prospective multicenter study is ongoing.

Ocular and central nervous system lymphoma: clinical features and diagnosis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical, angiographic, and cytopathologic features of ocular and central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 44 patients over a 10-year period.

RESULTS

A total of 36 women and six men, mean age 54 years (range: 36-90 years), were included. The mean time interval between onset of ocular symptoms and diagnosis was 40 months (range: 1-144 months). Ocular involvement was bilateral in 84% of the cases. Laser flare photometry readings averaged 9.6 photons/ms (2.9-78.3 photons/ms). Vitritis was constant. Funduscopy revealed RPE abnormalities in 60.49% of the cases and punctuate retinal infiltrates in 33.5%. The most common findings with fluorescein angiography were window defects and hypofluorescent round lesions. Patients had CNS involvement in 66% of the cases. Cytologic examination of the vitreous samples showed high-grade B lymphoma in 86% of the cases. Interleukin-10 dosage, when performed, showed elevated levels averaging 2352 pg/ml in all vitreous samples. Molecular biology based on PCR confirmed the diagnosis in 12 patients. Treatment included systemic chemotherapy alone or associated with radiotherapy in various regimens. Fourteen patients died during follow-up. Only 12 patients were in complete remission.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of the disease remains poor. However, the new diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies may improve the diagnostic delay and the survival outcome.

Therapeutic management of primary central nervous system lymphoma: lessons from prospective trials

Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL) are aggressive malignancies, exhibiting one of the worst prognoses among lymphomas. The best treatment modality for PCNSL has not yet been identified. Several therapeutic questions still remain unanswered, and some methodological pitfalls in clinical trials prevent definitive conclusions from being drawn. In this review, certain aspects of trial design as well as emerging therapeutic guidelines are analyzed, and future perspectives are discussed. In the vast majority of prospective trials, general criteria for treatment of aggressive lymphomas were adopted, choosing primary chemotherapy (CHT) followed by radiotherapy (RT) as therapeutic modality. This strategy produced a five-year survival of 22%- 40% in comparison to the 3%-26% reported with RT alone. Systemic high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) seems to be the most effective drug, producing a response rate of 80%-90% and a two-year survival of 60%-65%. To date, the addition of other drugs at conventional doses have not consistently improved outcome. With a few exceptions, any regimen without HD-MTX comprehensively performed no better than RT alone. In combined treatment. RT doses should be decided on the bases of response to primary CHT and the number of lesions, and, until definitive conclusions from well-designed trials are available, RT parameters should follow the widely accepted principles used for other aggressive lymphomas. CHT as exclusive treatment, keeping RT for relapses or persistent disease, appears to be an attractive strategy. However, the worldwide experience with this modality is still limited, and corroborating data are needed. Intrathecal CHT still has not found a defined role in PCNSL management. Preliminary data seem to indicate that adequate meningeal treatment with HD-MTX, but without intrathecal CHT, could also be suitable in positive-cerebrospinal fluid patients. Future efforts should be addressed to identify new active drugs and more efficient CHT combinations, to evaluate the efficacy of high-dose CHT supported by autologous peripheral blood stem cells transplantation, and to clarify the impact of RT delay in complete responders, the usefulness of intrathecal CHT, and the best management for elderly patients. The assessment of impact of treatment on neuropsychological functions and quality of life is a mandatory endpoint in clinical trials.

Iris involvement in primary intraocular lymphoma: report of two cases and review of the literature

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involves ocular tissues either as a primary tumor or as secondary metastasis from systemic disease. Diagnosis is based on the identification of malignant cells in the eye by biopsy. Although primary intraocular lymphoma cells have been identified in the optic nerve, ciliary body, and iris of a small number of patients by histopathology, these sites of infiltration have rarely been observed on clinical examination. We studied clinical and histopathological findings of two patients with iris infiltration by primary intraocular lymphoma and reviewed the findings of 163 cases reported in the literature.

Intraocular Lymphoma

BACKGROUND: Primary ocular lymphoma is a distinct subtype of intraocular lymphoma. Its clinical presentation can mimic benign conditions. Diagnosis is often based on obtaining an intraocular biopsy. Optimal management is not yet realized. METHODS: This report combines the experience of the author with a review of the current literature pertaining to intraocular lymphoma. RESULTS: Primary ocular lymphoma, a subtype of primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma, has a variable clinical course and frequently mimics benign inflammatory disease. Even when suspected, diagnosis can be elusive. Chemoradiation is the most effective treatment, but significant ocular and cerebral morbidity is associated with its use. Novel treatment regimens may reduce or eliminate side effects while preserving life, vision, and CNS function. CONCLUSIONS: Primary CNS lymphoma with ocular involvement should be considered in patients with refractory uveitis, yellow-white choroidal masses, and CNS lymphoma. Aggressiveness in making the diagnosis should be tempered by the potential complications of the diagnostic process and advanced by the life-threatening nature of the disease. Treatment should attempt to maximize efficacy while incorporating considerations such as extent of disease and the patient's age, health, and mental state.