Leptomeningeal metastases from leukemias and lymphomas

Abstract

Leptomeningeal dissemination of lymphoma and leukemia differs from that of solid tumors in a number of clinically important aspects. Specific histologic variants of lymphoma and leukemia have such a high incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dissemination that assessing CSF cytology at diagnosis is crucial and prophylactic therapy of the CSF compartment is required. Furthermore, while the overall prognosis for patients with leptomeningeal metastases from leukemia and lymphoma is similar to solid tumors, selected patients have excellent response to therapy and attain durable remission. Therefore, aggressive treatment is warranted.