Primary Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Unilateral Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma–Ophthalmic Variant (Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma)

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the long-term outcomes of 2 cases of primary autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for the treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma–ophthalmic variant (PCNSL-O) or primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL). Methods: Two cases and their findings were analyzed. A review of the histopathology, systemic treatment, and multimodal ocular imaging was performed. Results: A 52-year-old woman and 56-year-old woman were referred for vitritis and retinal lesions suspicious for PCNSL-O. The initial vitreous biopsies were inconclusive. Both patients had subsequent chorioretinal biopsies that confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. No systemic or central nervous system involvement was found on systemic workup. Both patients received intravitreal and systemic chemotherapy followed by ASCT, and both remained in complete remission 7 and 8 years later. Conclusions: These cases show the long-term survival of patients diagnosed with PVRL when primary ASCT, the primary treatment for PCNSL, is performed.

From the Editor-in-Chief

“…Caranfa and Liang 13 report 1 of our 2 reports on lymphoma with the first detailing a 56-year-old with an anaplastic large-cell lymphoma characterized as a T-cell predominance and rare vitreous involvement, while Lee et al 14 report 2 unilateral ophthalmic B-cell lymphomas (PCNSL-O) first treated with intravitreal and systemic chemotherapy and then ultimately managed with autologous stem cell transplantation.…”