Yes, it is possible to have lymphoma in the brain.

When a lymphoma grows in the brain or spinal cord it is known as a CNS lymphoma (the initials stand for central nervous system). There are two ways this may happen. The lymphoma may:

• start in the brain. This is called primary CNS lymphoma
• spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body. This is called secondary CNS lymphoma

Primary CNS lymphoma

When lymph cells in the brain become cancerous, they develop into a primary CNS lymphoma. Primary CNS lymphomas are rare.

Secondary CNS lymphoma

Some high grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas, such as Burkitt lymphoma, have an increased risk of spreading to the brain. If you have one of these types of lymphoma you may be given a treatment to reduce this risk. This usually involves having chemotherapy intrathecally as well as chemotherapy into a vein (intravenously).