# Prognostic factors of meningeal carcinomatosis in breast cancer patients

## TL;DR

This study identifies symptoms and prognostic factors for meningeal carcinomatosis in breast cancer patients, finding that cranial nerve abnormalities are linked to worse outcomes.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific symptoms and their prognostic significance in meningeal carcinomatosis among breast cancer patients.

## Key findings

- Headache, cranial nerve alteration, and nausea were the most common symptoms at diagnosis.
- Cranial nerve abnormalities were associated with worse survival (hazard ratio 1.78).
- Meningeal hyperenhancement on MRI was linked to better prognosis (hazard ratio 0.58).

## Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the primary signs and symptoms in patients diagnosed with breast cancer and meningeal carcinomatosismeningeal carcinomatosis, assess the prognostic role of these symptoms at the time of diagnosis, and correlate them with prognostic factors.

This retrospective study consecutively included breast cancer patients diagnosed with meningeal carcinomatosis. The study collected the symptoms of meningeal carcinomatosis at the time of diagnosis. To assess the prognostic role of symptoms in patients’ overall survival, the Cox regression model was used.

A total of 109 patients between the ages of 26 and 79 were included in the study. The most frequently reported symptoms at diagnosis were headache (42.2%), cranial nerve alteration (31.2%), and nausea (30.3%). The study showed a median survival of 2.4 months, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.7–3.0 months. The only symptom found to be associated with a worse prognosis was the presence of cranial nerve abnormalities, with a hazard ratio of 1.78 (95%CI 1.08–2.95, p=0.024). Conversely, the presence of meningeal hyperenhancement on magnetic resonance was related to a better prognosis, with an hazard ratio of 0.58 (p=0.02, 95%CI 0.36–0.92).

It can be concluded that meningeal carcinomatosis is a serious condition, and the most common symptoms at diagnosis are headache and nausea. Special attention should be given to patients who present with alterations in cranial nerves, as they belong to a subgroup with a poor prognosis.