Primary Central Nervous System Non-Hodgkins's Lymphoma (PCNSL): A Phase II Clinical Trial of Radiation Therapy and High Dose Corticosteroids for Elderly Patients (70 Years of Age and Older)

Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Pathologically confirmed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with intracranial lesions

- Intraocular lymphoma eligible, if not sole site of disease

- No occult systemic lymphoma

- Measurable or evaluable disease by CT scan or MRI

- No neoplastic meningitis or gross spinal cord involvement

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 70 and over

Performance status:

- ECOG 0-3

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Not specified

Hepatic:

- Not specified

Renal:

- Not specified

Other:

- No prior history of lymphoma

- No other active malignancy except basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the
cervix

- HIV negative

- No active peptic ulcer disease

- No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

- No active pancreatitis

- No active bleeding

- No poorly controlled major psychiatric illness

- No serious uncontrolled infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- No prior bone marrow transplantation

Chemotherapy:

- No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- Not specified

Radiotherapy:

- No prior radiotherapy to the brain or head and neck region

Surgery:

- No prior transplantations (renal, hepatic, or cardiac)