leucoencephalopathy


leu·ko·en·ceph·a·lop·a·thy

(lū'kō-en-sef'ă-lop'ă-thē) White matter changes first described in children with leukemia, associated with radiation and chemotherapy injury, often associated with methotrexate; pathologically characterized by diffuse reactive astrocytosis with multiple areas of necrotic foci without inflammation.
Synonym(s): leucoencephalopathy. [leuko- + G. enkephalos, brain, + pathos, suffering]

leucoencephalopathy

A rare disorder occurring in the late stages of LYMPHOMA or other cancers. Scattered throughout the brain are areas of DEMYELINATION with changes in the supporting (glial) cells characteristic of PAPOVA VIRUS infection. The resulting damage to nerve function causes widespread effects including paralysis, speech and visual defects, DEMENTIA and convulsions and the condition is fatal within a matter of weeks.