Leptomeningeal metastasis from solid tumors: a single center experience in Chinese patients

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a devastating complication of solid tumors. A retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the outcome and prognostic factors of LM. Patients with LM were identified through MRI from January 2008 to August 2011. 46 patients were included. 32 had NSCLC, five had breast cancer and nine had other cancers. Treatment included radiotherapy in 49 %, intrathecal chemotherapy in 12 %, and systemic chemotherapy in 61 % of the patients. The median survival was 4.4 (range, 0-45) months. KPS score, radiotherapy and systemic treatment were significantly associated with survival. Eighteen (58 %) of NSCLC patients received EGFR-TKI therapy, with a median survival of 13 months. EGFR-TKI therapy was identified as an independent prognostic factor for survival in the NSCLC subgroup. The prognosis remains poor in patients with LM from solid tumors. KPS ≥ 70, systemic treatment and radiotherapy represent positive prognostic factors. EGFR-TKI therapy improves outcomes of LM in selected NSCLC patients.