Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis: review of the literature.
Metastases from solid tumors that seed the leptomeninges (meningeal carcinomatosis) are an important neurologic complication of systemic cancer. Recently many authors have reported that its incidence is increasing; particularly it has been demonstrated for breast cancer and small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. A cytologic examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) establishes the diagnosis. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI has demonstrated superiority over other imaging with the clinical context and CSF analysis may lead to a rapid diagnosis and treatment of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Despite all measures, prognosis remains poor because of the presence of multiple metastases elsewhere.
Institute of Neurosurgery, Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, University Federico II of Naples.
G
G
Iaconetta
E
E
Lamaida
A
A
Rossi
F
F
Signorelli
A
A
Manto
A
A
Giamundo
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use
D003561:Cytarabine; D008727:Methotrexate