Image 12 of 23



Image Description

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is characterized by perivascular growth of large atypical lymphoid cells. With continued proliferation, the distribution becomes more diffuse and sheet-like.

If the patient is given steroid therapy before biopsy, the tumor may shrink considerably and show prominent apoptosis and necrosis (as demonstrated here). The biopsy material may consist predominantly of reactive T-cell mimicking a chronic inflammatory process. Therefore, if PCNSL is suspected clinically, steroid therapy should not be prescribed before establishing the diagnosis.

Image 12 of 23