Meningeal carcinomatosis in solid tumors.
The involvement of the leptomeninges by metastatic tumors can be observed in solid tumors, in which case it is termed meningeal carcinomatosis (MC), and in lymphoproliferative malignant disease. It is more common in breast and lung cancer, as well as melanoma, with adenocarcinoma being the most frequent histological type. MC is usually a late event, with disseminated and progressive disease already present and, it is characterized by multifocal neurological signs and symptoms. Diagnosis is based on the evaluation of clinical presentation, cerebrospinal fluid and neuroimaging studies. The better systemic disease control is observed with new therapeutic agents, and the development of neuroimaging methods is responsible for the increasing incidence of such metastatic evolution. Intrathecal chemotherapy is generally the treatment of choice, although frequently palliative. Prognosis is guarded, although a higher performance status may indicate a subgroup of patients with a more favorable outcome.
Department of Oncology, Brasília DF, Brazil.
Sandro José
SJ
Martins
Carla Rameri Alexandre Silva de
CR
Azevedo
Ludmilla Thomé Domingos
LT
Chinen
Marcelo Rocha Sousa
MR
Cruz
Marcos Aurélio
MA
Peterlevitz
Daniel Luiz
DL
Gimenes
D006801:Humans; D055756:Meningeal Carcinomatosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis