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.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Martins,Sandro José, Azevedo,Carla Rameri Alexandre Silva de, Chinen,Ludmilla Thomé Domingos, Cruz,Marcelo Rocha Sousa, Peterlevitz,Marcos Aurélio, Gimenes,Daniel Luiz
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO 2011
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2011000700024
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!