For patients with AIDS-related lymphomas, identification of CNS involvement at diagnosis does not affect overall survival

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

Patients with AIDS-related lymphomas (ARL) may face an increased risk of central nervous system involvement (CNSi) compared with other lymphomas. Researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center found that presence of CNSi at the time of diagnosis did not affect overall survival; however, patients with CNSi at the time of diagnosis were, on average, nearly three times more likely to experience CNS relapse during cancer treatment. Current HIV therapies do not reduce the frequency CNS relapse, which is generally associated with a poor prognosis. The study results demonstrate a need to identify CNS involvement at diagnosis of ARL in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS.