Our free Patient Information Pack has been designed to help you feel confident when discussing treatment and care options with your medical team.
A lymphoma is a tumour caused by the uncontrolled growth of the lymph cells (a type of white blood cell). Lymph cells help the body fight infection. There are many different types of lymphoma - usually they form in the lymph nodes around the body.
Rarely, a lymphoma can form in other places, such as the central nervous system (CNS) - either as a mass that presses on the brain or spinal cord from outside or, less commonly, as a mass or spread within the meninges (the membranes covering the brain). These lymphomas are called a primary cerebral lymphoma or a primary CNS lymphoma.
CNS lymphomas represent just under 5% of brain and spinal cord tumours.
CNS lymphomas are usually high grade and are a type of 'non-Hodgkin lymphoma' called 'diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma'. (Hodgkin lymphoma is a different illness entirely).
It is important for your doctors to tell you which type of lymphoma you have.
Read about the methods used to diagnose brain tumours including scans, biopsies, biomarker testing and laboratory analysis.
Brain tumours are graded from 1 to 4 depending on how they are likely to behave. Find out more.
Get details about MRI and CT scans, which can provide a detailed 3-D image of the brain.
CNS lymphomas are treated differently to other brain tumours in that the main treatment is usually chemotherapy. Some people may also have radiotherapy after the chemotherapy.
Page last reviewed: 11/2015
Next review due: 11/2018
Whether you've been diagnosed with a brain tumour, or it's a family member or friend, we are here to help. We offer a wide range of inclusive and accessible information and services for everyone affected by a brain tumour, whether it's low or high grade, adult or child.
Find information on side-effects, managing finances and caring for someone with a brain tumour.
If you need advice or just someone to talk to find out about our phone support lines, local and online support groups.
Find out about the NHS, social services and other agencies you may come across after being diagnosed.
If you have further questions, need to clarify any of the information on this page, or want to find out more about research and clinical trials, please contact our team:
0808 800 0004 (free from landlines and mobiles)
01252 749 999
Phone lines open Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:00
You can also join our active online community on Facebook - find out more about our groups.