Some patients experience personality changes and may have incontinence or difficulty urinating. In addition, pressure from the tumor can cause swelling in the brain, resulting in increased intracranial pressure. This can result in headaches, vomiting, and vision changes.
If primary CNS lymphoma affects the eye, patients may experience blurred vision, floaters, or loss of vision. While not necessarily symptoms of lymphoma, people with these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. In rare cases, they may also develop weakness or paralysis in their arms and tummies. In order to confirm the diagnosis of primary CNS syphilis, a biopsy of the tumor is performed. A pathologist will examine the tissue to determine the type of lymphoma present.
Symptoms of primary CNS lymphoma vary between patients. In most cases, lymphoma involves the central nervous system. The symptoms of this disease can involve the brain, spinal cord, or cranial nerves. For instance, intractable vomiting and gait imbalance are common. In rare cases, PCNSL can impair the function of bowel and bladder. Further, peripheral and cranial nerves are affected, resulting in a wide variety of neurologic deficits and pain.
The presence of a lymphoma in the central nervous system (CNS) can cause symptoms related to the eye and cranial nerves. Most patients with this condition will have floaters, but they are not typical symptoms of lymphoma. Additionally, the condition can result in weakness, and paralysis, particularly in the arms and tummy. A biopsy is required in order to determine whether a patient has Primary CNS lymphoma.
Some patients may have systemic symptoms due to primary CNS lymphoma. The most common symptoms of PCNSL are gastrointestinal bloating, fever, and neurological dysfunction. There are a variety of possible side effects associated with chemotherapy. In some cases, these symptoms may occur in combination with other illnesses, which may increase the chances of relapse. However, most patients will have only one lesion in their peripheral nerves.
A primary CNS lymphoma diagnosis requires a physical exam. A neurological examination will show whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. If the cancer has spread to the brain, the patient may experience nausea or vomiting. Other symptoms may include gait imbalance, intractable vomiting, and sensitivity to certain drugs. The doctor will also monitor a patient’s blood to toxins.
In addition to the above symptoms, a primary CNS lymphoma patient may experience other symptoms. For example, the patient may have a headache, numbness, and weakness in the arms and legs. Some patients may even have seizures, vision loss, and mental changes. Those who are suffering from this condition should see a doctor as soon as possible to find the right treatment. Further, they should undergo a thorough physical examination to detect underlying diseases.
Approximately 4% to 12% of patients with primary CNS lymphoma have underlying systemic disease. CT chest and MRI spine scans will help detect the disease. During the physical examination, a patient will be asked to dilate their pupils and undergo special examinations. During these exams, a small biopsy of the tumor will be taken to confirm whether it is lymphoma or not.
