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Changes of cerebrospinal fluid tumor marker levels may predict response to treatment and survival of carcinomatous meningitis in patients with advanced breast cancer

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictive value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tumor marker levels in patients with breast cancer and carcinomatous meningitis. Serial CSF and serum tumor marker (CEA, CA-15.3, CA-125, and CA-19.9) measurements were performed in five patients with breast cancer developing carcinomatous meningitis in an attempt to correlate these with clinical outcome under treatment. CSF tumor marker levels correlated with response to treatment and outcome in each patient, and, despite achieving negative CSF cytology after therapy in two patients, it heralded disease progression. Given our findings, CSF tumor marker evaluation may provide a reliable means and surrogate end-points of monitoring response of carcinomatous meningitis to treatment. Therefore, large studies to assess the value of CSF tumor marker changes in carcinomatous meningitis are warranted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, 2nd Division of Medical Oncology, “Metaxa” Cancer Hospital, Piraeus

    Christos Kosmas M.D. (Consultant Medical Oncologist), Georgia Soukouli, George Tsakonas, John Katselis, Heraklis Alexopoulos, Nicolas Mylonakis & Athanasios Karabelis

  2. Department of Pathophysiology, Medical Oncology Unit, Laikon General Hospital, Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece

    Nicolas B. Tsavaris & Panagiotis Gouveris

Authors
  1. Christos Kosmas M.D.
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  2. Nicolas B. Tsavaris
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  3. Georgia Soukouli
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  4. Panagiotis Gouveris
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  5. George Tsakonas
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  6. John Katselis
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  7. Heraklis Alexopoulos
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  8. Nicolas Mylonakis
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  9. Athanasios Karabelis
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Correspondence to Christos Kosmas M.D..

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Kosmas, C., Tsavaris, N.B., Soukouli, G. et al. Changes of cerebrospinal fluid tumor marker levels may predict response to treatment and survival of carcinomatous meningitis in patients with advanced breast cancer. Med Oncol 22, 123–128 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1385/MO:22:2:123

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/MO:22:2:123

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