PCNSL Treatment Options

Expert Dr. Christian Grommes explains primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) chemotherapy protocols, side effects, and remission—get vital answers for patients and families.

In this video, Dellann Elliott Mydland from the End Brain Cancer Initiative, sits down with Dr. Christian Grommes, leading neuro-oncologist and PCNSL specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, to discuss standard chemotherapy protocols, side effects, patient monitoring, remission rates, and critical warning signs—all essential for PCNSL patients, caregivers, and clinicians.

Dr. Grommes explains why there is no single standard of care for PCNSL but emphasizes that methotrexate-based chemotherapy remains the backbone of treatment. Discover how these protocols are tailored for each patient, the importance of intensive hospital monitoring, and what patients can expect during their two to three week treatment cycles. Learn about therapy consolidation, how side effects like kidney and bone marrow toxicity are managed, and why specialized centers can improve outcomes for complex cases.

Discover:
Standard treatment protocols
How long typical PCNSL treatment lasts
Differences between inpatient and outpatient chemotherapy
Remission, refractory disease, and recurrence rates
Side effects: kidney toxicity, blood count drops, infection risk, neuropathy
Essential symptoms and warning signs to watch out for
Treatment outcomes

Methotrexate-based care remains the foundation of PCNSL treatment, but remission rates, patient safety, and monitoring require expert management. Dellann and Dr. Grommes clarify what every patient, family, and care partner should know!

About our guest:
Dr. Christian Grommes is a neuro-oncologist at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, licensed in NY, NJ, PA, OH, and VA. He cares for patients with brain tumors including primary brain tumors, PCNSL, and brain metastases. Dr. Grommes is an Early Drug Development Scientist who tests new drugs to treat cancer and who has specialized training in research studies/clinical trials.

About the End Brain Cancer Initiative:
Founded by Dellann Elliott Mydland, the Brain Cancer Initiative helps patients, families, and caregivers navigate diagnosis, find specialists, and advocate for the best brain cancer care nationwide.

This interview was recorded on September 26, 2025. It is part of a four-video PCNSL series. Watch all four parts to learn how specialized treatment and expert support are changing outcomes for patients with PCNSL.

What is PCNSL?    • What is PCNSL?  
PCNSL Treatment Options    • PCNSL Treatment Options  
Relapse and Progression    • Relapse and Progression  
Challenges and Unmet Patient Needs    • Challenges and Unmet Patient Needs  

Subscribe to the End Brain Cancer YouTube channel for more expert conversations on brain cancer treatments, research updates, and patient advocacy: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@EndB...

Learn more at:
EBCI website: https://endbraincancer.org/
PCNSL page: https://endbraincancer.org/pcnsl/
Curis website: https://www.curis.com/

This patient disease educational video was made possible with the support of Curis Therapeutics and the End Brain Cancer Initiative.

#EndBrainCancer, #PCNSL