Primary cerebral lymphoma: an association with craniopharyngioma or cadaveric growth hormone therapy?

OBJECTIVES

To present the first case of primary cerebral lymphoma associated with craniopharyngioma or previous cadaveric growth hormone therapy.

CLINICAL FEATURES: A 22-year-old male shop assistant of European descent presented with unilateral uveitis and was found to have a high grade primary cerebral lymphoma. This occurred nine years after successful surgical resection of a craniopharyngioma without the administration of adjuvant radiotherapy.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: There was initial radiological resolution of cerebral lymphoma after cranial irradiation. Recurrence was noted 10 weeks later, resulting in the patient's death.

CONCLUSION

The development of primary cerebral lymphoma following a craniopharyngioma is considered most likely a chance occurrence. Cadaveric growth hormone therapy may play a role in the genesis of lymphoma.