A case of primary intraocular lymphoma with frequent remissions and exacerbations for long periods

Background: Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is fatal, but sometimes spontaneous remission occurs. Case Report: A 72-year-old woman presented at our hospital in 2001 with bilateral blurring. Subretinal tumor in the left fundus and vitreous opacity in the right fundus were detected. We diagnosed PIOL based on the cytological findings. The subretinal tumor disappeared before both eyes were treated with radiation therapy, which was scheduled for the following month. In 2003, patchy lesions in the left fundus appeared and then disappeared. In 2006, the subretinal tumor in the right fundus and vitreous opacity in the left fundus became worse and were treated with intravitreal methotrexate (MTX) injections. In 2009, subretinal tumor in the right fundus and vitreous opacity in the left fundus were detected again and then disappeared with no medical treatment. In 2010, her consciousness was disturbed and multiple brain lesions were noted. Four months later, multiple brain lesions disappeared and then her consciousness improved. Conclusion: This case illustrates that primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) can repeatedly appear and disappear over long periods.