Intravascular CNS lymphoma: Successful therapy using high-dose methotrexate-based polychemotherapy

Abstract

Intravascular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma limited to the CNS (cIVL) is a very rare malignant disorder characterized by a selective accumulation of neoplastic lymphocytes (usually B cells) within the lumen of CNS blood vessels but not in the brain parenchyma. In the past, treatment of cIVL with anthracycline-based regimens was unsatisfactory with very short survival times. In the case of cIVL presented here, high-dose methotrexate-based polychemotherapy according to the Bonn protocol plus rituximab therapy was successful and led to a complete clinical and MRI remission which is ongoing 29 months after diagnosis.