Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis and Palliative Care: A Case Report

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) is a rare but serious complication of cancer in which cancer cells spread to the leptomeninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The diagnosis and treatment of LC can be challenging due to the non-specific symptoms and the difficulty of access...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2023-02, Vol.15 (2), p.e35615
Main Authors: Shanbhag, Nandan M, Elbakheit, Mehad M, Javed, Muhammad Z, Elomami, Abdulghani, Samad, Afroz, Abdulrahman, Bahaa E, Ibrahim, Huzaifa G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Breast cancer
Cancer therapies
Caregivers
Case reports
Cerebrospinal fluid
Chemotherapy
Emergency medical care
Headaches
Magnetic resonance imaging
Medical prognosis
Microscopy
Nausea
Oncology
Pain
Pain Management
Palliative Care
Patient satisfaction
Quality of life
Radiation therapy
Spinal cord
Symptom management
Tumors
Vomiting
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Summary:Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) is a rare but serious complication of cancer in which cancer cells spread to the leptomeninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The diagnosis and treatment of LC can be challenging due to the non-specific symptoms and the difficulty of accessing the leptomeninges for a biopsy. In this case report, we describe a patient with advanced breast cancer who was diagnosed with LC and underwent treatment with chemotherapy. Despite aggressive treatment, the patient's condition worsened over time, and she was referred to palliative care, where adequate symptom control was achieved, and she was discharged to her home country as per her wish. Our case highlights the difficulties associated with the diagnosis and treatment of LC and the need for continued research to improve outcomes for patients with this condition. It specifically highlights the approach a palliative care team can take for this condition.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.35615