Meningeal Carcinomatosis in Medical Terminology

Meningeal carcinomatosis is a serious complication in cancer patients marked by the spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to the meninges, thin tissues covering the spinal cord and brain. This condition can cause inflammation of the meninges and can occur with any type of cancer, but it more common with cancer of the breast, lungs, or gastrointestinal system.

Word Origin

• Meningeal carcinomatosis is literally the condition of the spread of cancer to the meninges.

  "Meningeal" refers to the meninges, a layer of thin tissues consisting of three membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain. Specifically, "mening-" is from the Greek word for membrane. The suffix "-eal" means pertaining to.

  "Carcinomatosis" refers to the condition of widespread dissemination of cancer throughout the body. "Carcin(o)-" is from the Greek karkinos, or crab, while the suffix "-osis" also came from the Greek language and refers to a condition, disease, or increase.

Other Names for Meningeal Carcinomatosis

• Ensure accuracy in dictation or transcription by using the right medical terminology for this condition.

  Meningeal carcinomatosis may be referred to as leptomeningeal cancer, neoplastic meningitis, carcinomatous meningitis, leptomeningeal metastasis, leptomeningeal carcinoma, and meningeal metastasis. Each of the terms refers to the spread of cancer from an original tumor to the membranes housing the brain and spinal cord.

  Health care professionals may use any of the above terms to describe this condition, often depending on the geographical area in which they practice medicine. When transcribing or reading medical notes, ask for clarification if you are unsure of the terminology.

Pronunciation

• Ensure proper spelling and pronunciation when using medical terminology.

  The correct pronunciation of meningeal carcinomatosis is (meh-NIN-jee-ul KAR-sih-NOH-muh-TOH-sis).

  See these pronunciation guidelines for other names of the condition:

  - leptomeningeal cancer: (LEP-toh-meh-NIN-jee-ul KAN-ser)
  - neoplastic meningitis: (NEE-oh-PLAS-tik MEH-nin-JY-tis)
  - carcinomatous meningitis: (KAR-sih-NOH-muh-tus MEH-nin-JY-tis)
  - leptomeningeal metastasis: (LEP-toh-meh-NIN-jee-ul meh-TAS-tuh-sis)
  - leptomeningeal carcinoma: (LEP-toh-meh-NIN-jee-ul KAR-sih-NOH-muh)
  - meningeal metastasis: (meh-NIN-jee-ul meh-TAS-tuh-sis)

History

• German pathologist and bacteriologist Karl Joseph Eberth first described meningeal carcinomatosis in 1870. The actual medical term was first used in 1901 by an author named Siefert.

  The spinal type of this condition is less common than the cerebral form. Meningeal carcinomatosis can be difficult to diagnose and may require repeated tests of cerebrospinal fluid for the presence of malignant cells. Doctors may also use a myelogram or Gadolinium-enhanced MRI to look for abnormalities indicative of meningeal carcinomatosis.

Prognosis

• Treatment for meningeal carcinomatosis usually involves palliative care provisions.

  Once confirmed, meningeal carcinomatosis is difficult to treat, partially due to the underlying cancer that led to the metastasis. As the first tumor runs its natural course, it can affect the patient's ability to physically handle more treatment.

  There is no defined course of treatment, as radiotherapy and chemotherapy often severely reduce quality of life in patients already weakened from the original cancer and/or treatment. Treatment may focus on palliative care, as median patient survival is six months.