Primary bone lymphoma: single institution case series.

BACKGROUND: Primary bone lymphoma (PBL) is a rare condition and accounts for less than 2% of adult lymphomas and 3% of all primary bone malignancies. Because of the rarity of this disease, there is a lack of prospective randomised clinical trials and hence optimal treatment is uncertain.

AIM: We report on our experience of treating PBL over 20 years.

METHODS: Using our hospital database, we identified all patients with PBL, their treatment, and long-term follow-up.

RESULTS: From January 1989 to July 2007, we identified 12 patients with PBL. Long extremity bones were the most common presenting sites. Multifocal disease was present in three cases. Treatment modalities included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Median follow-up was 8 years (range 0.5-18.5 years), and overall survival was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS: Combined modality therapy, i.e. chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, is the preferred treatment option unless adverse neurology or an unstable fracture presents first.