Meningeal carcinomatosis as the first manifestation of a transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

J Neurooncol. 2003 May;63(1):63-7. doi: 10.1023/a:1023781604980.

Abstract

Meningeal carcinomatosis (MC) as first manifestation of a transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder is rare. We report a 66-year-old man, smoker, who presented with two episodes of secondarily generalized partial motor seizures. The routine blood test, brain computed tomography (CT) scan, brain magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalogram were normal. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) revealed a significant pleocytosis and a morphology compatible with non-differentiated non-small cell carcinoma. Broncofiberscopy, gastrofiberscopy, thoracicoabdominopelvic CT-scan and bone scintigraphy were normal but the urine cytology revealed malignant cells similar to those found in the CSF. TCC was diagnosed by cystoscopy and later necropsy confirmed the MC of this tumor. In this report we review the literature and analyze patient survival.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / secondary*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology*