MENINGEAL CARCINOMATOSIS - CSF CYTOLOGY, IMMUNOCYTOCHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMICAL TUMOR-MARKERS

CSF cytology, immunocytochemistry and biochemical tumor markers were c ompared in 12 patients with a meningeal carcinomatosis regarding diagn ostic significance and therapy control; 50 samples were investigated. Cytology was tumor-positive in 39 samples and immunocytochemistry in 4 5 samples. Intrathecally produced tumor markers were found in 47 sampl es. On initial examination only immunocytochemical testing correctly c lassified all cases. Cytology and biochemical tumor markers revealed p ositive results in 10 respectively 11 of 12 patients, combined use of these two methods would increase the sensitivity to 100%. On follow-up examination tumor markers correlated best with symptoms and were earl y indicators for clinical relapse. These results could be achieved onl y if several monoclonal antibodies and biochemical tumor marker tests were combined. It is concluded that immunocytochemistry and biochemica l tumor markers are of major help regarding the problems of false-nega tive cytology and reliable therapy control in meningeal carcinomatosis .