title: Prolonged survival of patients with breast cancer-related leptomeningeal metastases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prolonged overall survival (OS) has been reported for selected patients with leptomeningeal metastases (LM). The management and treatment of such patients is poorly-described. We report our experience on breast cancer (BC)-associated LM and patients with prolonged survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients with BC and LM had an OS >12 months in which treatment is described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Combined intra-cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) and systemic treatment were administered until disease progression or toxicity in all but two patients. Involved-field radiotherapy was administered to two patients. Median OS in this selected cohort following LM diagnosis, was 21.0 (range=13-33.3) months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prolonged OS but also prolonged responses can be observed in BC with LM. An individualized and multi-disciplinary approach is advised for the management of these patients.
authors: Breast unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Oscar Lambret Center, Lille Cedex, France. E-lerhun@o-lambret.fr
authors: Emilie
authors: E
authors: Le Rhun
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Taillibert
authors: Fahed
authors: F
authors: Zairi
authors: Diane
authors: D
authors: Pannier
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Boulanger
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Andre
authors: Jean Louis
authors: JL
authors: Cazin
authors: François
authors: F
authors: Dubois
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Bonneterre
authors: Marc C
authors: MC
authors: Chamberlain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
keywords: Leptomeningeal metastases; breast cancer; intra-CSF chemotherapy; liposomal cytarabine; multimodality treatment; neoplastic meningitis