Meningeal carcinomatosis in small cell carcinoma of the lung

PROTAC EZH2 degrader-1 overcomes the resistance of podophyllotoxin derivatives in refractory small cell lung cancer with leptomeningeal metastasis

BACKGROUND

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly detrimental occurrence associated with severe neurological disorders, lacking effective treatment currently. Proteolysis-targeting chimeric molecules (PROTACs) may provide new therapeutic avenues for treatment of podophyllotoxin derivatives-resistant SCLC with LM, warranting further exploration.

METHODS

The SCLC cell line H128 expressing luciferase were mutated by MNNG to generate H128-Mut cell line. After subcutaneous inoculation of H128-Mut into nude mice, H128-LM and H128-BPM (brain parenchymal metastasis) cell lines were primarily cultured from LM and BPM tissues individually, and employed to in vitro drug testing. The SCLC-LM mouse model was established by inoculating H128-LM into nude mice via carotid artery and subjected to in vivo drug testing. RNA-seq and immunoblotting were conducted to uncover the molecular targets for LM.

RESULTS

The SCLC-LM mouse model was successfully established, confirmed by in vivo live imaging and histological examination. The upregulated genes included EZH2, SLC44A4, VEGFA, etc. in both BPM and LM cells, while SLC44A4 was particularly upregulated in LM cells. When combined with PROTAC EZH2 degrader-1, the drug sensitivity of cisplatin, etoposide (VP16), and teniposide (VM26) for H128-LM was significantly increased in vitro. The in vivo drug trials with SCLC-LM mouse model demonstrated that PROTAC EZH2 degrader-1 plus VM26 or cisplatin/ VP16 inhibited H128-LM tumour significantly compared to VM26 or cisplatin/ VP16 alone (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The SCLC-LM model effectively simulates the pathophysiological process of SCLC metastasis to the leptomeninges. PROTAC EZH2 degrader-1 overcomes chemoresistance in SCLC, suggesting its potential therapeutic value for SCLC LM.

Meningeal carcinomatosis secondary to neurenteric cysts with malignant transformation: a case report

Background

Meningeal carcinomatosis is mainly associated with breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma. However, meningeal carcinomatosis secondary to a neurenteric cyst with malignant features is extremely rare.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 35-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with a 10-month history of headache, 6-month history of diplopia, 4-month history of hearing loss, and 1-month history of back pain, suggesting a diagnosis of chronic meningitis. Notably, enhanced brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed extensive lesions with enhancement signals in the pia mater of the pons and cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal cord. The cerebral spinal fluid profile showed that pressure was significantly elevated, with a slight increase in leukocytes that mostly comprised mononuclear cells and decreased glucose concentration. Cytology evaluation showed a small cluster of atypical nuclei, which were suspected to be tumor cells arising from the epithelium. However, no primary tumor was found through comprehensive body and skin screening. After a histopathological biopsy of subarachnoid meninx of the thoracic spinal canal, the cause of meningeal carcinomatosis of this patient was determined as neurenteric cysts with malignant features, which is extremely rare.

Conclusion

This is the first case to ever report neurenteric cysts as a cause of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis and the first ever report of neurenteric cysts presenting as leptomeningeal carcinomatosis without typical cyst visible on brain MRI. This extremely rare case provided a novel view on the pathogenesis of meningeal carcinomatosis and clinical presentation of neurenteric cysts, highlighting the value of meningeal biopsy in chronic meningitis of unknown causes.

Malignant Meningitis Associated with Hydrocephalus

Malignant meningitis (MM) is the diffuse involvement of the leptomeninges by infiltrating cancer cells, most frequently from lung and breast cancers. This review is aimed to discuss the current advances in the diagnosis and management of MM, along with management of MM-associated hydrocephalus. We reviewed the literature using PubMed and Google Scholar search engines, focusing on various recent randomized controlled trials and clinical trials on MM. Given the hallmark multifocal involvement, the clinical symptoms and signs are also random and asymmetric. There are three important pillars for establishing a diagnosis of MM: clinical examination, neuroimaging, and CSF cytological findings. Several factors should be considered in decision-making, including performance status, neurological findings (clinical, MRI, and CSF flow dynamic), and evaluation of the primary tumor (nature and systemic dissemination). Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) working group recommended the objective assessment of disease for evaluating the progression and response to therapy. Pillars of current management are mainly focal irradiation and intrathecal or systemic chemotherapy. Symptomatic hydrocephalus is managed with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, lumboperitoneal shunt, or endoscopic third ventriculostomy as palliative procedures, providing significant improvement in performance scores in the limited survival time of patients with MM. Studies using novel therapeutic approaches, such as new biological or cytotoxic compounds, are ongoing. Despite the use of all the combinations, the overall prognosis remains grim; therefore, decision-making for treatment should predominantly be based on attaining an optimal quality of life.

Assessment of Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis Diagnosis, Management and Outcomes in Patients with Solid Tumors Over a Decade of Experience

Objective

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC), a common complication of advanced malignancies, is associated with high morbidity and mortality, yet diagnosis and treatment decisions remain challenging. This study describes the diagnostic and treatment modalities for LMC and identifies factors associated with overall survival (OS).

Materials and Methods

We performed a single-institution retrospective study (registration #: OSU2016C0053) of 153 patients diagnosed with LMC treated at The Ohio State University, Comprehensive Cancer Center, (OSUCCC)-James between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015.

Results

Median age at diagnosis was 55.7 years, and 61% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group baseline performance status ≤1. Most common primary tumors were breast (43%), lung (26%), and cutaneous melanoma (10%). At presentation, most patients were stage III-IV (71%) with higher grade tumors (grade III: 46%). Metastases to bone (36%), brain (33%), and lung (12%) were the most common sites with a median of 0.5 years (range, 0-14.9 years) between the diagnosis of first metastasis and of LMC. 153 (100%) patients had MRI evidence of LMC. Of the 67 (44%) who underwent lumbar puncture (LP), 33 (22%) had positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology. Most patients received radiotherapy for LMC (60%) and chemotherapy (93%) for either the primary disease or LMC. 28 patients received intrathecal chemotherapy, 22 of whom had a primary diagnosis of breast cancer. 98% died with median OS of all patients was 1.9 months (95% CI: 1.3-2.5 months).

Conclusion

Despite improved treatments and targeted therapies, outcomes of LMC remain extremely poor. Positive CSF cytology was associated with lower OS in patients who had cytology assessed and specifically in patients with breast cancer. CSF cytology serves as an important indicator for prognosis and helps aid in developing individualized therapeutic strategies for patients with LMC.

Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis: Molecular Landscape, Current Management, and Emerging Therapies

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is a devastating consequence of late-stage cancer, and despite multimodal treatment, remains rapidly fatal. Definitive diagnosis requires identification of malignant cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or frank disease on MRI. Therapy is generally palliative and consists primarily of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, which is administered intrathecally or systemically. Immunotherapies and novel experimental therapies have emerged as promising options for decreasing patient morbidity and mortality. In this review, the authors discuss a refined view of the molecular pathophysiology of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, current approaches to disease management, and emerging therapies.

Epidemiology of spinal cord and column tumors

The spine is a frequent location for metastatic disease. As local control of primary tumor pathology continues to improve, survival rates improve and, by extension, the opportunity for metastasis increases. Breast, lung, and prostate cancer are the leading contributors to spinal metastases. Spinal metastases can manifest as bone pain, pathologic fractures, spinal instability, nerve root compression, and, in its most severe form, spinal cord compression. The global extent of disease, the spinal burden, neurologic status, and life expectancy help to categorize patients as to their candidacy for treatment options. Efficient identification and workup of those with spinal metastases will expedite the treatment cascade and improve quality of life.

Leptomeningeal metastasis from solid tumors

Central nervous system (CNS) metastasis from systemic cancers can involve the brain parenchyma, leptomeninges (pia, subarachnoid space and arachnoid mater), and dura. Leptomeningeal metastases (LM), also known by different terms including neoplastic meningitis and carcinomatous meningitis, occur in both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. This review will focus exclusively on LM arising from solid tumors with a goal of providing the reader an understanding of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, prognostication, current management and future directions.

Radiotherapy in Leptomeningeal Disease: A Systematic Review of Randomized and Non-randomized Trials

Background: Leptomeningeal disease (LMD), also known as neoplastic meningitis, leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, or carcinomatous meningitis, is a rare cancer complication occurring in ~5% of cases and ultimately leads to significant morbidity and mortality. In the modern era, incidence of this condition continues to rise with longer survival of patients with advanced and even metastatic disease due to continued improvements in systemic therapies that are providing prolonged control of distant disease, but with limited effect in the central nervous system (CNS). Typical treatment strategies include optimal systemic therapy for the primary disease, as well as neuroaxis directed therapies, which may include intrathecal chemotherapy (ITC) or radiotherapy (RT). Methods: A systematic review of radiotherapy for LMD was performed. Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from 1946 to 2018 for clinical trials, retrospective/prospective reviews, and case series with ≥2 human subjects that used radiation therapy techniques in the treatment of LMD. The outcome measures of interest included: characteristics of trial participants, inclusion/exclusion criteria, study type, number of participants, primary cancer histology, type of intervention for LMD, survival results if reported, length of follow up, and study conclusion. Results: Of 547 unique citations, 62 studies met the pre-specified eligibility criteria. These studies included 36 retrospective cohorts, 11 prospective series, 12 case series, and a single citation of guidelines, NCDB analysis, and a randomized control trial. Owing to study heterogeneity, meta-analyses of the endpoint data could not be performed. Conclusions: LMD is a devastating complication of cancer with reported survivals ranging from 2 to 4 months. Based on this systematic review, the recommendation for the treatment of LMD is for multimodality discussion of cases and treatment, including the use of radiotherapy, for LMD. However, with continued advances in systemic therapy as well as imaging advances, the landscape of LMD is evolving rapidly and the role of RT will likely also continue to evolve and advance. There is limited high-quality evidence to guide the optimal use of RT for the treatment of LMD, and there is a great need for prospective, histology specific investigation of the role of radiotherapy for LMD in the era of modern systemic therapies.

Leptomeningeal metastasis from systemic cancer: Review and update on management

Leptomeningeal metastasis is an uncommon and typically late complication of cancer with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Diagnosis is often challenging, with nonspecific presenting symptoms ranging from headache and confusion to focal neurologic deficits, such as cranial nerve palsies. Standard diagnostic evaluation involves a neurologic examination, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine with gadolinium, and cytologic evaluation of the cerebral spinal fluid. Therapy entails a multimodal approach focused on palliation with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, which may be administered systemically or directly into the cerebral spinal fluid. Limited trial data exist to guide treatment, and current regimens are based primarily on expert opinion. Although newer targeted and immunotherapeutic agents are under investigation and have shown promise, an improved understanding of the biology of leptomeningeal metastasis and treatment resistance as well as additional randomized controlled studies are needed to guide the optimal treatment of this devastating disease. Cancer 2018;124:21-35. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Leptomeningeal metastasis as initial manifestation of signet ring colorectal adenocarcinoma: a case report with review of literature

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) is an exceedingly rare event especially as a first manifestation of an occult primary colorectal cancer and even when there is a known history of malignancy. Sensorineural hearing loss is by itself an unusual isolated presentation of LMC with unsolved pathophysiology in this setting. In this paper, we report such a case and review the literature for similar cases, focusing on postulated mechanisms of spread. In view of the poor prognosis they carry, we highly recommend that physicians be aware of the risk of rare metastasis from colorectal adenocarcinoma in order to establish an early confirmative diagnosis.

Ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, and areflexia: what would you think?

We present here a case of carcinomatous meningitis presenting as Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS). There are four further cases described in the literature with evidence of tumour invasion within the central nervous system (CNS) shown either in cerebrospinal fluid examination or on histology. There are further five cases described in which an association between cancer and a Miller Fisher phenotype has been shown. Some of these have identified antiganglioside antibodies in the serum and, in one case, also showed antibodies deposited within the primary tumour itself. This raises a question as to whether there is a paraneoplastic form. It would be informative when further cases present in this way to histologically examine for malignant CNS invasion, and the presence of antiganglioside antibodies in both the malignant primary and areas of nervous system thought to be affected by MFS.

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis mimicking Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: clinical features, laboratory tests, MRI images, EEG findings in an autopsy-proven case

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) refers to diffuse seeding of the leptomeninges by tumor metastases. The clinical presentation may differ and the diagnosis may be difficult especially when cancer has not yet been diagnosed. We report a case of LC, where the clinical picture and a specific change in cerebrospinal fluid suggested the diagnosis of a prion disease.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology and Clinical Analysis of 34 Cases with Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis

The clinical characteristics and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytological features of 34 hospitalized patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) were studied. Most patients presented with signs of meningeal irritation (19 cases) and intra-cranial hypertension (23 cases). Computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed brain parenchymal lesions, hydrocephalus and leptomeningeal enhancement (nine, six and eight cases, respectively). The CSF changes included high opening pressure (21 cases), increased white blood cell count (23 cases), elevated protein levels (25 cases) and low glucose levels (17 cases). Malignant cells were found in all CSF specimens and 32 cases had malignant cells in their initial CSF examinations. High serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) occurred in 11 patients. Signs of meningeal irritation and intra-cranial hypertension were common. It is concluded that serum CEA measurement along with CT and MRI scanning are helpful in the diagnosis of LC. Crucially, however, CSF cytology could be the most important technique for the diagnosis of LC.

The role of intra-cerebrospinal fluid treatment and prophylaxis in patients with solid tumors

Metastasis to the central nervous system (CNS), including neoplastic meningitis (NM), is a devastating complication of systemic cancer. With the improved survival of cancer patients, the incidence of CNS metastasis is rising, especially among those with breast or lung carcinoma. New therapies that effectively treat these primary tumors outside of the CNS have underscored the significance of CNS metastases; they have become a significant clinical issue and a therapeutic challenge. This review discusses clinical situations in which treatment or chemoprophylaxis of CNS metastases and NM from breast or lung cancer may play an important role. Potential clinical trials to assess these assumptions also will be proposed.

Comparative risk of leptomeningeal disease after resection or stereotactic radiosurgery for solid tumor metastasis to the posterior fossa

Object

The authors tested the hypothesis that patients with metastatic posterior fossa lesions (MPFLs) treated with resection have a higher risk of leptomeningeal disease (LMD) than those with MPFLs treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

Methods

Between 1993 and 2004, 379 patients with MPFLs were treated with resection or SRS at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The authors' primary study outcome was the incidence of LMD, as diagnosed with cerebrospinal fluid cytological analysis and/or neuroimaging.

Results

Resection was performed in 260 patients, whereas 119 patients underwent SRS. The median patient age was 56 years, 51% of patients were male, and 93% had a Karnofsky Performance Scale score $ 70. The most common primary cancers were those of the lung, breast, and kidney, as well as melanoma. Leptomeningeal dissemination of cancer occurred in 33 patients: 26 in the resection group and 7 in the SRS group (resection group: rate ratio [RR] 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89–4.75, p = 0.09). Piecemeal tumor resection (137 cases) was associated with a significantly higher risk of LMD than en bloc resection (123 cases; RR 3.4, 95% CI 1.43–8.12, p = 0.006) or SRS (RR 3.37, 95% CI 1.41–8.04, p = 0.006), and there was no significant difference in the risk for LMD between en bloc resection and SRS (en bloc resection: RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.34–2.81, p = 0.98). The multivariate RR and significance associated with piecemeal resection, however, were consistent, with a strong effect (RR 2.45, 95% CI 1.19–5.02, p = 0.02) and no indication of biases associated with tumor size, location, or cystic/necrotic appearance.

Conclusions

There is an increased risk of LMD after piecemeal resection of an MPFL. This increase, although clinically and statistically significant, is not as alarming as previously reported and is absent when en bloc removal is achieved. Further assessment of the role of resection in a controlled prospective setting is warranted.

Malignant meningitis secondary to lung adenocarcinoma: an unusual relapse

We describe a 64-year-old man with locally advanced lung adenocarcinoma who had meningeal relapse soon after the completion of intensive chemo-radiotherapy. Diagnosis of the malignant meningitis was established by cytological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid, which showed malignant cells consistent with adenocarcinoma from the primary site. Although very rare, it is possible that successful chemo-radiotherapy for locally advanced lung cancer could not prevent malignant meningitis as observed in our patient. Physicians should consider performance of brain MRI or contrast CT of the brain and a lumbar puncture to exclude the diagnosis of malignant meningitis, an uncommon but devastating complication of malignancy.

Leptomeningeal metastases from small cell lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The current study was performed to investigate the frequency of leptomeningeal metastases (LMM) in patients with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) as well as the effect of LMM on survival, any correlation between the location of the LMM and survival, and a possible increased risk of LMM among patients with brain metastases (BM) located in the posterior fossa.

METHODS

Between 1980-2003, 458 consecutive patients with SCLC were enrolled in the current study. Patients underwent regular neurologic examination and imaging of the brain before, during, and after treatment. The diagnosis of LMM was established by either the presence of malignant cells in the cerebrospinal fluid or positive clinical symptoms and signs supported by radiologic findings on magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

The group of patients in the current study had a 2% prevalence of LMM and the 2-year cumulative incidence of LMM was found to be 10%. The median survival after the diagnosis of LMM was reported to be 1.3 months. The median survival among patients with LMM located in the spinal cord was 2.4 months. The reported LMM-free survival 2 years after the diagnosis of SCLC was 78% for patients without BM and 61% for those patients with BM. Approximately 15% of the patients with BM located in the posterior fossa developed LMM, whereas only 10% of patients with cerebral BM did.

CONCLUSIONS

The current prospective study found a 2-year cumulative incidence of LMM of 10%, with a prevalence of 2%. Patients with LMM located in the spinal cord appeared to survive longer than patients with cranial LMM. SCLC patients with BM located in the posterior fossa may be at a higher risk of developing LMM compared with patients with cerebral BM.

Leptomeningeal metastases from solid malignancy: a review

Leptomeningeal metastases (LMM) consist of diffuse involvement of the leptomeninges by infiltrating cancer cells. In solid tumors, the most frequent primary sites are lung and breast cancers, two tumors where the incidence of LMM is apparently increasing. Careful neurological examination is required to demonstrate multifocal involvement of the central nervous system (CNS), cranial nerves, and spinal roots, which constitute the clinical hallmark of the disease. Cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) analysis is almost always abnormal but only a positive cytology or demonstration of intrathecal synthesis of tumor markers is diagnostic. T1-weighted gadolinium-enhanced sequence of the entire neuraxis (brain and spine) plays an important role in supporting the diagnosis, demonstrating the involved sites and guiding treatment. Radionuclide CSF flow studies detect CSF compartmentalization and are useful for treatment planning. Standard therapy relies mainly on focal irradiation and intrathecal or systemic chemotherapy. Studies using other therapeutic approaches such as new biological or cytotoxic compounds are ongoing. The overall prognosis remains grim and quality of life should remain the priority when deciding which treatment option to apply. However, a sub-group of patients, tentatively defined here, may benefit from an aggressive treatment.

Leptomeningeal metastases from solid tumors (meningeal carcinomatosis)

Leptomeningeal metastases (LM) are increasingly recognized as a devastating complication of solid tumors. Improved treatment of primary malignancy and advances in diagnostic imaging have led to an apparent increase in the number of patients diagnosed with LM. Unfortunately, therapeutic options remain limited. Radiotherapy is used to treat bulky tumor and provide symptomatic relief. Intrathecal chemotherapy benefits a selected subset of patients. The challenge to the future is to delineate the molecular mechanisms underlying LM and to develop novel therapeutic or prophylactic modalities to combat LM.

Neurologic disorders in 432 consecutive patients with small cell lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Neurologic complications are an important cause of morbidity and possibly also mortality in patients with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). The current study was undertaken to prospectively investigate survival and the frequency of neurologic disorders in patients with SCLC.

METHODS

Between October 1980 and September 2001, 432 consecutive patients with microscopically proven SCLC were included in the current study. Patients underwent neurologic examinations on a regular basis prior to, during, and after treatment. Routine imaging of the brain (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) was performed before and after systemic therapy.

RESULTS

A neurologic disorder was diagnosed in approximately 56% of the SCLC patients. In nearly half of the cases, the neurologic disorder already was present at the time of diagnosis. Brain metastases (BM) were diagnosed most frequently. Seventy-four patients (18%) had BM at the time of diagnosis; in 20 of these patients, the BM did not demonstrate clinical signs. Another 101 patients developed BM during follow-up. The 2-year cumulative risk of BM reached 49% for patients with limited disease (LD) and 65% for patients with extensive disease (ED). Patients with BM as the only site of disease dissemination were found to have a poorer survival compared with LD patients. The majority of the nonmetastatic disorders preceded the diagnosis of SCLC. The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) was diagnosed most frequently.

CONCLUSIONS

In this prospective study, neurologic disorders were diagnosed in greater than half of the patients with SCLC. BM were detected most frequently. Approximately 18% of the patients were found to have BM at the time of diagnosis. In approximately 33% of the cases, these BM did not cause symptoms. BM were found to have a negative effect on survival in patients with SCLC.

Leptomeningeal metastases

LM is an increasingly common neurologic complication of cancer with variable clinical manifestations. Although there are no curative treatments, currently available therapies can preserve neurologic function and potentially improve quality of life. Further research into the mechanisms of leptomeningeal metastasis will elucidate molecular and cellular pathways that may allow identification of potential targets to interrupt this process early or to prevent this complication. Animal models are needed to further define the pathophysiology of LM and to provide an experimental system to test novel treatments [242-245]. There is an urgent need to develop new drug-based or radiation-based treatments for patients with LM. Randomized clinical trials are the appropriate study design to determine the efficacy of new treatments for LM. However, surrogate markers for response must be developed to facilitate the identification of effective regimens. Survival is not the optimal end point for such studies as most patients who develop this complication already have advanced, incurable cancer. Prevention of or delay in neurologic progression is one objective that has been utilized in recent randomized trials in patients with LM, and this end point deserves further attention. Although the development of LM represents a poor prognostic marker in patients with cancer it is important for physicians to recognize the symptoms and signs of the disease and establish the diagnosis as early in the disease course as possible. This may provide an opportunity for effective intervention that can improve quality of life, prevent further neurologic deterioration and, for a subset of patients, improve survival.

Neoplastic meningitis

Neoplastic meningitis is recognized clinically in 4% to 7% of patients with extraneural cancer, but it remains dramatically under-diagnosed. The frequency of neoplastic meningitis is increasing because of heightened clinical suspicion, improved neuroimaging techniques, and longer survival in patients with extraneural cancer Longer survival allows residual tumor cells within central nervous system sanctuary sites time to become symptomatic. Affected patients may present with cerebral, cranial nerve, or spinal signs and symptoms, depending on the specific sites of central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) seems to be sensitive for detecting metastatic deposits along the neuraxis. However, metastases at a microscopic level are below the resolution of MRI scanning. As a result, the standard diagnostic test for neoplastic meningitis remains the cytologic identification of malignant cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Although CSF cytology is useful, malignant cells are not detected in as many as one third of patients who have compelling clinical or radiographic evidence of neoplastic meningitis. Novel assays are being tested that may enhance the early identification of malignant cells in CSF. Currently, the diagnosis occurs generally after the onset of neurologic manifestations and heralds a rapidly fatal course for most patients. By the time symptoms appear, most tumors have disseminated widely within the CNS, due to cortical irritation, compression of nervous system structures, or obstruction of CSF flow. At this stage surgery, cranial irradiation, and chemotherapy are rarely, if ever, curative. The goals of treatment are to improve or to stabilize the neurologic status of patients and to prolong survival. A major problem in treating neoplastic meningitis is that the entire neuraxis must be treated. If only symptomatic areas are treated, reseeding of the neuraxis with tumor cells will occur. Therefore, intrathecal chemotherapy remains a mainstay of therapy. Currently, four therapeutic agents are available for intrathecal treatment: methotrexate, ara-C, sustained-release ara-C (DepoCyt; Chiron Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA), and thiotepa. Unfortunately, intrathecal chemotherapy does not treat bulky disease in the subarachnoid space, and often is slow to stabilize progressive neurologic deficits. For these reasons, radiation therapy to sites of symptomatic disease and sites of bulky disease on imaging studies is recommended. High dose intravenous methotrexate may be as effective as intrathecal methotrexate. Alternative approaches (which offer less toxicity, enhanced therapeutic effect, and prolonged survival) are being investigated.

Cauda equina syndrome

Single or double-level compression of the lumbosacral nerve roots located in the dural sac results in a polyradicular symptomatology clinically diagnosed as cauda equina syndrome. The cauda equina nerve roots provide the sensory and motor innervation of most of the lower extremities, the pelvic floor and the sphincters. Therefore, in a fully developed cauda equina syndrome, multiple signs of sensory disorders may appear. These disorders include low-back pain, saddle anesthesia, bilateral sciatica, then motor weakness of the lower extremities or chronic paraplegia and, bladder dysfunction. Multiple etiologies can cause the cauda equina syndrome. Among them, non-neoplastic compressive etiologies such as herniated lumbosacral discs and spinal stenosis and spinal neoplasms play a significant role in the development of the cauda equina syndrome. Non-compressive etiologies of the cauda equina syndrome include ischemic insults, inflammatory conditions, spinal arachnoiditis and other infectious etiologies. The use of canine, porcine and rat models mimicking the cauda equina syndrome enabled discovery of the effects of the compression on nerve root neural and vascular anatomy, the impairment of impulse propagation and the changes of the neurotransmitters in the spinal cord after compression of cauda equina. The involvement of intrinsic spinal cord neurons in the compression-induced cauda equina syndrome includes anterograde, retrograde and transneuronal degeneration in the lumbosacral segments. Prominent changes of NADPH diaphorase exhibiting, Fos-like immunoreactive and heat shock protein HSP72 were detected in the lumbosacral segments in a short-and long-lasting compression of the cauda equina in the dog. Developments in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with back pain, sciatica and with a herniated lumbar disc are mentioned, including many treatment options available.

Detecting meningeal carcinomatosis from breast cancer with thallium-201 SPECT

Thallium-201 (201Tl) scintigraphy is one of the imaging methods used in the detection of various tumors including brain metastasis. We evaluated a patient with meningeal carcinomatosis from breast cancer by using 201Tl single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Meningeal spread of a tumor was noted on enhanced CT. SPECT revealed tumor localization in meningeal carcinomatosis. These results suggest that SPECT with 201Tl may be useful in detecting meningeal carcinomatosis from breast cancer.

Neoplastic meningitis: diagnosis and treatment considerations

Neoplastic meningitis is an increasingly recognized complication of advanced metastatic cancer and, if left undiagnosed or untreated, is characterized by rapid neurologic deterioration and death. Thus, the diagnosis and treatment of neoplastic meningitis present challenges for the clinical oncologist. The diagnosis of neoplastic meningitis is based on clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory analysis of cerebrospinal fluid to determine cell count and cytology, and analysis of neuroimaging studies for evidence of leptomeningeal or cranial nerve enhancement. Once diagnosed, conventional treatment regimens may include radiotherapy combined with systemic or intrathecal chemotherapy, often with the antimetabolites cytarabine and/or methotrexate. However, the prognosis for neoplastic meningitis secondary to an underlying solid tumor or recurrent leukemia is poor with conventional treatment regimens. Therefore, novel agents for intrathecal administration, including DepoCyttrade mark, mafosfamide, and topotecan, or novel therapeutic approaches, including conjugated monoclonal antibodies and immunotoxins or gene therapy, are currently under investigation. Such new agents and therapeutic approaches will facilitate the development of effective treatment strategies and will ultimately improve the outcome for patients with this devastating disease. This article provides an overview of the approaches to the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of neoplastic meningitis.

Imaging features of leptomeningeal metastases

AIMS

To assess the range of appearances, and accuracy of various methods of diagnosing leptomeningeal metastases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a retrospective study, the notes and imaging of all patients with a radiological and/or CSF cytological diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) were identified, and assessed for the following: age and sex, primary tumour type, presenting symptoms, initial radiological and cytological diagnosis, radiological appearances and length of survival following diagnosis. Discordance between the CSF cytology and radiological diagnosis of LM was also noted.

RESULTS

41 positive cases (36 female) of LM were identified over a 2.7 year period (diagnosis based on: imaging only--19 cases, cytology only--6, both--16 cases). The average age was 48 years, and the most frequent primary tumour was breast carcinoma (27/41). Two thirds of patients presented with at least one cranial or spinal nerve palsy. Where performed, contrast-enhanced CT was normal in 40% (10/25), with LM mistaken for parenchymal disease in a further 24% (6/25). CSF cytology was positive in 85% (22/26). Gadolinium-enhanced MRI was positive in all cases where it was performed (25/25). Pial enhancement and nodularity was the commonest finding (67%), but other manifestations included nodular disease, neural enhancement and white matter changes. Prognosis was uniformly poor.

CONCLUSION

Leptomeningeal metastatic disease has a poor prognosis, and treatment regimen may differ from those of parenchymal CNS metastases. CT is normal or misleading in two thirds of patients, and CSF cytology may also be negative. Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MRI complements CSF cytology, and is the investigation of choice in patients with a non-haematological primary tumour and suspected LM.

Leptomeningeal metastases: rationale for systemic chemotherapy or what is the role of intra-CSF-chemotherapy?

Malignant subarachnoid deposits complicate both primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors and systemic neoplasms. Although the pathophysiology of symptoms and signs can not be separated by the category of primary tumors that seeds the leptomeninges, the approach to therapy is not similar in primary CNS tumors and in systemic neoplasms. Standard therapy for subarachnoid seeding in primary CNS tumors include conventional or high doses of systemic chemotherapy with various combinations of radiotherapy given either to limited fields or to the whole neuroaxis. Direct administration of chemotherapy to the CSF is not being used. In contrast, whenever a systemic tumor seeds the subarachnoid space the standard approach includes intensive intra-CSF chemotherapy, radiotherapy to limited or extended CNS fields and various combinations of systemic chemotherapy. The published experience with the conventional therapy is reviewed and is critically analyzed. Evidence indicating that high dose systemic chemotherapy can replace intra-CSF treatment in some subgroups are also reviewed and the rationale for this approach is specified. Recent experience in which intra-CSF therapy was prospectively eliminated from the treatment protocol of leptomeningeal metastases of solid tumors reveals that the response rate and survival are similar to those obtained by protocols that differed only by the inclusion of intra-CSF chemotherapy. Patients who were treated by radiotherapy alone combined with systemic chemotherapy but without the intra-CSF therapy were spared the high rate of early and delayed complications directly related to intra-CSF therapy. Still, treatment outcome did not differ. Therefore, future research efforts and prospective clinical trials should investigate the best chemotherapeutic schedules and their sequencing with radiotherapy or with more intensive complementary systemic chemotherapy schemes. Newly designed drugs with long circulation time and improved CNS penetration may serve for this purpose.

Teniposide for meningeal carcinomatosis of small cell lung cancer

A female patient with small cell lung cancer and extensive bone marrow metastases achieved a complete response after combination chemotherapy including etoposide. During maintenance therapy meningeal carcinomatosis was diagnosed. After intravenous administration of teniposide she improved dramatically during 3 months.

Secondary optic nerve tumors

Secondary tumors of the optic nerve are more common than primary optic nerve tumors. The involvement of the optic nerve may arise from direct invasion from intraocular malignancies, from hematopoietic malignancy, from meningeal carcinomatosis, or from distant primary tumors. Orbital tumors rarely invade the optic nerve, and brain tumors involve it only in their late stages.

Carcinomatous meningitis: antibody-guided therapy with I-131 HMFG1

Seven patients with carcinomatous meningitis were administered intrathecal I-131 labelled monoclonal antibody HMFG1. Clinical responses were seen in two patients, with a long term survivor at 32 months. Aseptic meningitis occurred in 4/7 patients, but more serious toxicity was observed in the form of seizures (2/7 patients) and myelosuppression (3/7 patients). Partial obliteration of the subarachnoid space was identified as a potential problem in patients with advanced disease.

Neoplastic meningitis in malignant melanoma: diagnosis with monoclonal antibodies

Six patients with neoplastic melanomatous meningitis were studied. The diagnosis of this complication of malignant disease rests on the demonstration of malignant cells within the CSF. The addition of monoclonal antibody immunocytology to conventional techniques significantly improved the diagnostic sensitivity of CSF cytology, allowing for earlier and therefore more effective palliative treatment.

Leptomeningeal cancer in leukemia and solid tumors

Although some patients with overt leptomeningeal cancer can now be cured, the proportion of patients who survive is very small, and the cost of cure, in terms of neuropsychological and educational morbidity, is substantial. Yet the incidence of central nervous system infiltration of systemic cancer is generally increasing, in most instances because control of systemic cancer has sufficiently prolonged survival to permit leptomeningeal metastases to develop and become symptomatic or detectable. The best chance for prolongation of life and possible cure is early detection and aggressive therapy in those forms of cancer that are amenable to therapy. We review the incidence of the various forms of leptomeningeal metastases, current concepts of pathogenesis and pathophysiology, clinical and laboratory features of leptomeningeal cancer, the available therapies, and the associated toxicities. The various methods that have been used to prevent and treat leptomeningeal cancer are described with an emphasis on childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) because it plays a predominant role in our understanding of meningeal neoplasms in general.

Altered metastatic behavior of small cell carcinoma of the lung after chemotherapy and radiation

Heterogeneity of malignant neoplasms is a recognized phenomenon now, but the implications of this with respect to the responsiveness of carcinomas to different modes of therapy are not known. To examine this question, we reviewed the clinical and pathologic features of 85 autopsied patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung. Patients who were treated with chemotherapy plus radiation survived significantly longer than all other patients (P less than 0.005), but there were no significant differences in the mean number of metastatic sites or overall tumor burden at autopsy. Patients who were treated with chemotherapy only had significantly more frequent (P less than 0.05) and more extensive (P less than 0.005) metastases to the leptomeninges, more frequent metastases to other sites within the lungs (P less than 0.05), and less frequent metastases to the adrenal glands (P less than 0.01) and pancreas (P less than 0.05). The patients who were treated with radiation only had more extensive metastases to the adrenal glands (P less than 0.005), and more frequent metastases to the pancreas (P less than 0.001), colon (P less than 0.01), and cerebral white matter (P less than 0.05). The patients who were treated with both chemotherapy and radiation had more frequent and more extensive metastases to the gastrointestinal tract (P less than 0.05) and serosal surfaces (P less than 0.01), but not to any site within the central nervous system (CNS). The latter suggests that prophylactic treatment of the CNS may not be necessary to prolong survival when patients are treated with both chemotherapy and radiation. The results also suggest that although chemotherapy and radiation may prolong survival in patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung, these forms of treatment change the biologic behavior of the tumors by eliminating certain clones that are distinguishable by their metastatic patterns.

Neurologic disorders in patients with small cell lung cancer

In a series of 641 patients with small cell lung cancer, 189 (29.5%) had at least one neurologic disorder either at the time of presentation or during the subsequent clinical course of the cancer. The total number of neurologic disorders was 210, which included brain metastases (75.7%), meningeal carcinomatosis (6.7%), intramedullary metastases (2.4%), epidural metastases (11.0%), hyponatremia producing CNS symptoms (3.3%), and Eaton-Lambert syndrome (1.0%). The most common signs and symptoms were motor dysfunction and confusion. The overall survival of patients with any neurologic disorder was compared to that of patients without neurologic problems. There was no difference between the survival curves for the first year and a half, but patients without neurologic complications had a greater probability of long-term survival (log-rank P = 0.03). There were no statistically significant differences when this comparison was made according to stage of disease. When a neurologic disorder related to cancer occurred, the survival time from the date of that diagnosis was usually short. The neurologic disorder was the immediate cause of death in the majority of cases. In patients who achieved a complete remission, the administration of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) significantly reduced the risk of developing brain metastases as the initial site of the relapse (log-rank P = 0.0034). After adjustment for performance status and extent of disease, the survival of complete responders treated with and without PCI was not significantly different. We conclude that neurologic complications are a frequent and serious problem in patients with SCLC.

Meningeal carcinomatosis in head and neck cancer. Report of six cases and review of the literature

Head and neck cancer has rarely been reported to be a cause of meningeal carcinomatosis. These tumors are known more for their local invasiveness rather than distant metastasis. This would appear to preclude meningeal involvement, but close proximity to multiple cranial nerves may provide an access to the meninges. Six cases of head and neck cancer with meningeal invasion are presented. All six cases had malignant cells in their cerebrospinal fluid. Three cases had malignant cells recovered from a ventricular specimen after lumbar punctures were negative. The most common clinical finding on presentation was cranial nerve involvement. The optic nerve was involved most often with nerves VI and V the next most frequent. Headache was present in four patients and seizures occurred in two. No patient had meningismus. Our current treatment plan involves insertion of an Ommaya Reservoir and intraventricular methotrexate. Only patients whose primary head and neck tumor shows a response to systemic therapy undergo Ommaya placement. Meningeal carcinomatosis in head and neck cancer may be more prevalent than previously thought and the likely mechanism is via direct extension rather than hematogenous spread.