Leptomeningeal metastasis: pathophysiology, treatment, and nursing management.
OBJECTIVE
To review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and clinical treatment of leptomeningeal metastasis.


METHODS
Published articles, abstracts, and book chapters.


RESULTS
Leptomeningeal metastasis is an increasingly seen complication of cancer. Treatment is intensive and may increase survival from four to five weeks without treatment to an average of six months. Clinical management and treatment of these patients is complex and best accomplished by a multi-disciplinary healthcare team.


CONCLUSIONS
Information regarding the anatomy, pathophysiology, treatment, and treatment complications can facilitate the care of patients with leptomeningeal metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Nursing interventions should focus on patient and family education about the disease process, side-effects of treatment, and early identification of disease progression.
Bone Marrow Transplant Service, University of California, San Diego, USA.
P A
PA
Kormanik
M C
MC
Chamberlain
D000465:Algorithms; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D003663:Decision Trees; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D016019:Survival Analysis