Among 6 women with epithelial ovarian cancer, 4 developed parenchymal brain metastases and 2 developed carcinomatous meningitis, suggesting CNS involvement may emerge with prolonged survival.
Case Report (n=6)
CNS involvement by ovarian cancer is a rare phenomenon that may become more apparent as prolonged survival is achieved with extensive surgical resection and chemotherapy.
Six patients with epithelial ovarian cancer had clinical diagnoses of central nervous system (CNS) metastases during a four-year period. A thorough review of the literature shows that involvement of the CNS by ovarian cancer is a rare phenomenon. Four of the six patients developed parenchymal brain metastases whereas carcinomatous meningitis was detected in the other two. These patients were younger and survived longer from initial diagnosis than the majority of women with ovarian cancer. Five of the six patients had previously received chemotherapy and had developed metastatic spread to extraperitoneal sites. Following extensive surgical resection, chemotherapy may provide intraperitoneal and systemic control, thereby extending survival and permitting occult CNS metastases to become apparent.
Mayer et al. (Wed,) conducted a case report in Epithelial ovarian cancer with central nervous system metastases (n=6). Prolonged survival with metastatic disease was evaluated on Development of central nervous system metastases. Among 6 women with epithelial ovarian cancer, 4 developed parenchymal brain metastases and 2 developed carcinomatous meningitis, suggesting CNS involvement may emerge with prolonged survival.