[Miliary cerebral carcinomatosis secondary to EGFR mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma]

Rev Mal Respir. 2016 Jan;33(1):67-71. doi: 10.1016/j.rmr.2015.01.003. Epub 2015 Mar 18.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduction: Miliary brain metastases are a rare form of brain metastatic lesions.

Case report: We report the case of a 58-year-old patient with lung adenocarcinoma and an EGFR mutation, who had metastatic lesions in the bones, pleura and pericardia at the time of diagnosis. The patient was treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor. A few months later, he presented with progressive neuropsychiatric symptoms, which were attributed to miliary brain metastases based on the radiological pattern (micronodules, some of which were calcified) and the elimination of alternative possible diagnoses. Despite tumour stability in the thorax and metastatic sites other than the brain, his neurological condition deteriorated, even after cerebral radiotherapy, leading to his death eight months after the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Conclusion: Miliary brain metastases are a rare form of brain metastases with unusual clinical presentation. The diagnosis is based on the radiological pattern of cerebral miliary dissemination, with sometimes calcified tumor nodules. Despite its rarity, several cases have been reported in lung adenocarcinoma in the presence of EGFR mutations.

Keywords: Adénocarcinome bronchique; Brain metastases; Carcinomatous encephalitis; Encéphalite carcinomateuse; Epidermal growth factor receptor; Lung adenocarcinoma; Miliaire cérébrale carcinomateuse; Miliary brain metastases; Métastases cérébrales; Récepteur du facteur de croissance épidermique.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Carcinoma / genetics*
  • Carcinoma / secondary
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*

Substances

  • ErbB Receptors