Arq Neuropsiquiatr 1998;56(2):188-192 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM METASTASES FROM BREAST CARCINOMA

ABSTRACT- In this retrospective study, 47 patients with clinical diagnosis of central nervous system metastases of breast cancer were evaluated by computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination. The patients were divided in 2 groups: 1, without leptomeningeal neoplasm and 2, with leptomeningeal neoplasm. In the group 2, the time interval between the primary disease and the central nervous system metastasis as well as the survival time were shorter than in group 1 (40 and 4.3 months in group 2 versus 57 and 10 months respectively, in group 1). In both groups the most common neurological symptoms and signs were intracranial hypertension and motor deficits. The most sensitive diagnostic methods were CT and MRI in group 1, and the CSF examination in group 2. The use of the tumor markers CEA and CA-15.3 in the routine examination of CSF showed promising results, mainly in leptomeningeal forms. KEY WORDS: central nervous system metastasis, breast cancer, cerebrospinal fluid, tumor markers. Metástases do sistema nervoso central por câncer de mama: estudo clínico-laboratorial em 47 pacientes RESUMO- Neste estudo retrospectivo, 47 pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de metástases do sistema nervoso por câncer de mama foram avaliados por tomografia computadorizada (TC), ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) e por exames do líquido cefalorraqueano (LCR). Os pacientes foram divididos em 2 grupos: 1, sem neoplasia leptomeníngea e 2, com neoplasia leptomeníngea. No grupo 2 o intervalo de tempo entre a doenç