When Burkitt's lymphoma presents with central nervous system involvement, treatment selection must address both systemic disease and CNS penetration. This page outlines the clinical context and points to the complete structured protocol.

Clinical Scenario

This protocol is for patients with Burkitt's lymphoma who have confirmed central nervous system involvement by lymphoma. The presence of CNS disease shapes the choice of systemic regimen and the addition of direct CNS-directed therapy.

Treatment Approach (partial)

For eligible patients, a combination chemotherapy regimen that includes agents able to cross the blood-brain barrier is preferred, combined with intrathecal chemotherapy — the complete regimen, sequencing, and eligibility criteria are available in the full protocol.

References

DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019004099

Although options for CNS prophylaxis and therapy have not been directly compared, systemic therapy is often preferred for patients with CNS involvement.
Most BL regimens employ intrathecal chemotherapy in combination with high-dose methotrexate and/or cytarabine, which could cross the blood-brain barrier.
Patients with CNS involvement received cranial radiotherapy to 24 Gy.
Therefore, for patients with CNS involvement, CODOX-M/IVAC may be a preferred option in a patient eligible for intensive therapy.

View source ↗

Treatment of Burkitt's Lymphoma with Central Nervous System Involvement

References