MARKED ELEVATION OF CARCINOEMBRYONIC ANTIGEN AND CARBOHYDRATE ANTIGEN19-9 IN THE PERIPHERAL-BLOOD AS AN INITIAL MANIFESTATION OF MENINGEALCARCINOMATOSIS

Marked elevation of tumor markers in the peripheral blood was initiall y a sole manifestation of meningeal carcinomatosis in a man with gastr ic carcinoma. In addition to extensive meningeal carcinomatosis, no me tastatic lesions were found at autopsy other than microscopic infiltra tion into a tiny paraaortic lymphnode. Elevation of these markers in t he peripheral blood is best explained by meningeal carcinomatosis. Whe n elevation of these markers is otherwise unexplainable, meningeal car cinomatosis should be considered as a diagnostic possibility even in t he absence of neurological symptoms.