Carcinomatous meningitis from recurrent glassy cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix—A case report

Abstract

Carcinomatous meningitis presents with a variety of neurological symptoms and has a poor prognosis. We encountered a case of carcinomatous meningitis from cervical cancer. A 30-year-old patient was diagnosed with cervical cancer (glassy cell carcinoma), stage IIB. She underwent radical hysterectomy and chemoradiotherapy. Nine months later, the disease recurred with iliac lymph node and right lung metastases. The patient received chemotherapy; however, after seven cycles, the lung lesions increased. The patient responded to supportive care; nevertheless, symptoms including headaches developed and were followed by diplopia. A contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance image of the head confirmed the diagnosis of carcinomatous meningitis. She was transferred to the palliative care unit and died approximately 1 week later. Carcinomatous meningitis has a poor prognosis and is difficult to treat; however, early diagnosis may provide meaningful time to patients. Therefore, attention must be paid to meningeal irritation and neurological symptoms.