Neoplastic meningitis
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Neoplastic meningitis On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Neoplastic meningitis |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sujit Routray, M.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: NM; Carcinomatous meningitis; Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis; LC; Neoplastic arachnoiditis; Malignant meningitis; Leptomeningeal neoplasia, Meningeal carcinomatosis; Meningeosis neoplastica; Meningitis carcinomatosa; Leptomeningeal metastasis; Leptomeningeal metastases; Carcinomatous meningitis; Subarachnoid space metastasis; Subarachnoid space metastases
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
- The pathophysiology of neoplastic meningitis involves spread of cancer cells to the meninges and subarachnoid space. The location could be the brain or the spinal cord. It could be from a distant source or from a primary CNS tumor (drop metastasis.
- Cancer from a distant source enter the CSF by means of the following:[3]
- Hematogenous Spread - cancer cells invade blood vessels to reach the subarachnoid space through the systemic arterial circulation or by the Batsons venous plexus.
- Infiltration to the spinal cord -
Causes
- Neoplastic meningitis is a secondary cancer caused by the spread of tumor cells into the meninges and subarachnoid space from a primary source. Most common sources documented are breast, lung, melanoma and hematologic cancers mostly acute lymphocytic leukemia.[4]
Differentiating Neoplastic Meningitis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Staging | History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | CT | MRI | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy | Surgery | Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies