Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma: Focus on Indian Perspective

Abstract

Early suspicion, withholding steroids, stereotactic biopsy, and high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) are essential for the treatment of primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) making its management in lower-middle-income countries (LMIC) challenging. Novel radiological methods, clinician awareness about the disease, and utilization of drugs like thiotepa and ibrutinib which can be given on an outpatient basis may allow better management of these patients in resource-poor settings. Combined with a late presenting demographic, this results in poorer outcomes in the Indian subcontinent as compared to its western counterparts. In this review, we summarize the currently available data on PCNSL in the Indian subcontinent. We also review the current standard of care for PCNSL and present potential modifications or research areas that may potentially improve outcomes in LMIC.