Background: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is the most common brain tumor occurring in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). After diagnosis of PCNSL, the median survival time is 2-5 months with treatment with whole brain irradiation (WBI).

Methods: Four (of approximately 40) patients with AIDS and PCNSL seen by the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Neuro-Oncology service were treated with multimodal therapy, including WBI with hydroxyurea, followed by 3 cycles of procarbazine/lomustine/vincristine (PCV) chemotherapy.

Results: Survival after tumor diagnosis ranged from 11 to 16 months, with a median of 13.5 months.

Conclusions: Selected patients with AIDS and PCNSL may have long survival when treated with multimodal therapy.