Peritoneal and meningeal relapse from lung adenocarcinoma after a response to gefitinib: A case report

The prognosis of carcinomatous peritonitis and meningitis is poor since ascites and focal neurological dysfunctions usually do not improve despite the available treatment options for this devastating disease. This is a case report of peritoneal and meningeal relapse from lung adenocarcinoma following a response to gefitinib. A 72-year-old woman was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in the upper lobe of the left lung, accompanied by a massive carcinomatous pleural effusion. Following a cisplati-based chemotherapy, gefitinib was initiated, achieving satisfactory disease control. At 8 months after gefitinib initiation, the patient developed abdominal distension, gait disturbance and visual disorder of the right eye. Adenocarcinoma cells were detected in the ascitic and pleural fluids. The findings of this case report suggest that clinicians should remain vigilant for this type of metastasis, although it is rarely encountered.