Meningeal Carcinomatosis as the First Manifestation of Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Overview

Gastric adenocarcinoma is rarely observed in patients under the age of 40. Meningeal carcinomatosis as a first manifestation of disease is absolutely unique. If meningeal involvement occurs it is usually secondary event in previously diagnosed tumor. The prognosis is very unfavorable associated with short term survival. In the treatment of this disease there night be used either chemotherapy administered via lumbar injection or radiotherapy or combination of both. This case study is one of very few cases reported in literature when meningeal carcinomatosis was a first sign of advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. 39 years old woman was admitted to our hospital with severe headache, diplopia and vomiting. Meningeal carcinomatosis with gastric primary was diagnosed. She was treated with combination of cytosine arabinosid (Cytostar), methotrexate (Methotrexat), hydrocortisone (Hydrocortisone) administered via intratheal lumbar injection and whole brain radiation. As a main complication she experienced disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. The improvement of patient’s condition following the initial treatment had a very limited duration and the patient died of bilateral pneumonia and cerebral edema 44th day after the admission.

Key words:
meningeal carcinomatosis, gastric adenocarcinoma, intrathecal chemotherapy, intracranial hypertension, cerebrospinal fluid