Primary Bone Lymphoma

Primary bone lymphoma is a distinct clinical entity that accounts for 5% of extra-nodal lymphoma. Most patients have diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and present with bone pain, a mass or both. The involvement could be in a single focus or disseminated. There are no prospective clinical studies in this disease. Patients have been treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination. There is a trend towards improved outcome with combined modality treatment and further improvement with the addition of rituximab. Assessment of response may be difficult with current imaging techniques. The prognosis of primary bone lymphoma is generally good. Here, the current evidence for the optimal treatment of primary bone lymphoma is reviewed and questions for future investigation are addressed.