What are the most common 'normal' non-HIV causes of Primary CNS Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

my 52-yr old brother was diagnosed with PCNS NH lymphoma in 2003 - he underwent reservoir-delivered chemo (brain), followed by radiation - he's technically in remission - but severely disabled due to increasing effects of radiation - he recently had a shunt implanted to treat brain fluid buildup - they don't know why he's still here - and don't know what to do with him - his initial prognosis was best-case scenario = 1 yr from diagnosis - and it's been 6 YEARS!!!

we were told that, assuming NO HIV/immunological factors, the most common cause of this 'rare' cancer is exposure to environmental toxins - is this true?

Catiek-
There isn't really a good answer to your question because the causes of PCNSL are simply not known. Assuming that he didn't develop PCNSL because of a compromised immune system-- and this could come about because of HIV/AIDS or perhaps in the wake of an organ transplant, when drugs are given to suppress the action of the immune system-- other possibilities include "some conditions linked to the X chromosome" (I'm quoting the Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer there, they don't specify which ones) as well as "exposure to certain herbicides" (again, Gale doesn't specify).

There's a very credible report called "Environmental and Occupational Causes of Cancer" that was put together in 2005 that does cite a number of studies that seem to link certain chemicals to a higher risk of certain cancers, and it includes sections on HL and NHL. I think you can download it at Environmentalhealthtrust.org, but I can't recall where on the site the file is.

Ross

*smiles lsightly*
keep in mind that HIV and AIDS are sexually transmitted infections.

cancer is not.

if youre doctor is talking about STI's , well i honestly dont know ow to think of that.

however what Ross said is true, noone knows yet how PCNSL is developed or what causes it.

as for whether or not the doctors think your brother should still be here, who really knows why. or cares. the point is that he is still here with us, is it not?

yes this cancer is rare. and toxins. well they use toxins to treat the cancer so -and i dont know for sure so dont hold me to it cause i am just using an 18 yr olds logic *smiles*- but i doubt that if toxins CAUSED this cancer, they would use it to get rid of it. does that make any sense?

and also, congradulations on his remission. i understand it may be an impaired one, nut its there.

thoughts and prayers for you