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Vol.48 No.6 contents | Japanese/English |
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- Original Article -
Clinical Analysis of Meningeal Carcinomatosis Associated with Primary Lung Cancer: Significance of Intrathecal Chemotherapy
Yukihiro Sugimoto1,3, Hiroshi Semba1, Shinji Fujii1, Eri Furukawa1, Ryouichi Kurano2, Katsuichi Kase31Division of Respiratory Disease, 2Division of Surgical Pathology, Kumamoto Regional Medical Center, Japan, 3Department of Internal Medicine, Self-defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital, Japan
Purpose. We considered the significance of intrathecal chemotherapy from examination of whether there we are enforced or not, duration of intrathecal chemotherapy, change of cytology and symptom and duration from diagnosis of lung cancer to diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis for meningeal carcinomatosis associated with primary lung cancer. Methods. We analyzed 17 cases of the 700 cases with primary lung cancer who were admitted to our hospital from May 2000 through May 2007. Results. First cytologic examination results for cerebrospinal fluid were positive in 16 of the 17 cases. We administered methotrexate (0.15-0.3 mg/kg, once or twice a week) for intrathecal chemotherapy in 13 of the 17 cases. Duration of intrathecal chemotherapy was from 7 days to 5 months. After beginning intrathecal chemotherapy, cytologic examination results of cerebrospinal fluid were negative in 6 of the 17 cases, among which 5 cases were negative two or more times. Improvement of symptoms was seen in 9 of the 17 cases, among which 3 cases had never been negative, 1 case had been negative only once and 5 cases had been negative on two or more cytologic examinations of cerebrospinal fluid. When the results of cytologic examination of cerebrospinal fluid were negative twice or more, the survival duration increased from 4 to 5 months. Conclusion. Intrathecal chemotherapy for meningeal carcinomatosis associated with primary lung cancer can improve symptoms and prolong survival.
key words: Meningeal carcinomatosis, Lung cancer, Methotrexate (MTX), Intrathecal chemotherapy
Received: March 24, 2008
Accepted: July 25, 2008
JJLC 48 (6): 688-692, 2008
