Causes of Carcinomatous Meningitis
Carcinomatous meningitis typically occurs as a complication of cancer in late stages, especially stage 4 when cancer cells spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastatic cancer, which spread through blood vessels and lymph nodes. As these cells reach the cerebral spinal fluids, it would lead to carcinomatous meningitis. Cerebral spinal fluid may flow between the meninges’ layers and through cavities in the brain. An extension of a tumor in the brain may be another cause of carcinomatous meningitis as well. [3]
Risk Factors for Carcinomatous Meningitis
The major risk factors for carcinomatous meningitis include:
– Being in late states of cancer
– Being younger than 40 years old and having a metastasis (secondary brain tumor)
– Not having radiation therapy after surgery for cancer
– Incomplete removal of a secondary brain tumor in surgery
It is still not completely clear why cancer occurs in certain circumstances and individuals, but not others. Scientists have found that both genetic and environmental factors may play a part. [4]
