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Renal cell carcinomatous meningitis: pathologic and immunohistochemical features

P B Crino1, R A Sater, M Sperling

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.

Neurology
|January 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

This study details a rare case of widespread meningeal carcinomatosis originating from renal cell carcinoma. The findings highlight specific tumor cell subtypes and their infiltration patterns within the central nervous system.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Neuropathology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Meningeal carcinomatosis is a serious complication of advanced cancer.
  • Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) rarely metastasizes to the meninges.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with widespread meningeal carcinomatosis secondary to renal cell carcinoma.
  • Tumor cells exhibited clear and spindle cell morphology.
  • Infiltration involved the meninges of the cauda equina, oculomotor nerve, spinal cord, and cerebral hemispheres.

Findings:

  • Tumor cells formed abortive glandular or tubular aggregates.
  • No evidence of direct parenchymal invasion was observed.
  • Immunohistochemistry showed positive labeling for Cytokeratin (Cam 5.2) epitopes.
  • Epithelial membrane antigen and neuron-specific enolase were negative.

Implications:

  • This case expands the understanding of rare metastatic patterns in renal cell carcinoma.
  • Highlights the importance of considering RCC in the differential diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis.
  • Provides insights into the immunohistochemical profile aiding in diagnosis.

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