Metastasis to a spinal meningioma

Abstract

Background:

Metastasis of one cancer to another is rare. Here, we report a spinal meningioma that was infiltrated by metastatic deposits from another cancer.

Case Description:

A 62-year-old male presented with a progressive spastic paraparesis. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the spine suggested a well-defined intradural extramedullary (IDEM) T8 mass in the dorsal spinal canal. When excised, it proved histologically to be a meningothelial meningioma infiltrated by metastatic deposits from an adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion:

Tumor to tumor metastasis rarely occurs, and meningioma, owing to its biological character and increased vascularity, is one of the most common recipients of a metastases from other lesions.

INTRODUCTION

Tumor to tumor metastases are rare. Of the various central nervous system (CNS) tumors, meningiomas are the most common recipients of metastases from other primary cancers in part due to their increased vascularity. Here, we report a patient with multifocal metastatic disease who underwent surgery for excision of dorsal intradural extramedullary lesion at the T8 level. Pathologically, it proved to be a meningothelial meningioma infiltrated by metastatic adenocarcinoma.

CASE REPORT

A 62-year-old male presented with 5-month history of progressive paraparesis of the lower extremities (Medical Research council: MRC grade 1/5) without sensory deficits or bladder/bowel involvement. The magnetic resonance (MR) study of the thoracic spine showed a well-defined, ventrally located, intradural extramedullary mass that enhanced heterogeneously with contrast at the T8 spinal level. In addition, it was accompanied by multiple sclerotic lesions consistent with multifocal metastatic disease [Figure 1].

Figure 1.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. (a) T2 sagittal, (b) T2 axial, (c) sagittal contrast, (d) axial contrast images, showing a well-defined intradural extramedullary mass lesion at D8 level

Although no primary cancer was not found, positron emission tomography (PET) scan showed multiple skeletal, thyroid, mediastinal, and lymph node metastases. A complete surgical excision of the T8 extramedullary ventral lesion was performed; it was very firm and adherent to the dura [Figure 2].

Figure 2.

Operative images showing (a) location of meningioma ventral to the cord (asterix), (b) excision of meningioma, (c) after complete removal

Histopathologically, the mass consisted of both a meningothelial meningioma and diffuse metastatic deposits of a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma arranged in nests and cords with microacinar structure [Figure 3a–c]. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well (MRC Grade 5/5), but did undergo appropriate postoperative radiation and chemotherapy.

Figure 3.

(a) H and E stained preparation shows histology typical of a meningioma in the background, with the alien dark staining cells (asterix) representing metastatic involvement by a carcinoma. (b and c) Immunohistochemistry showing metastatic carcinoma cells positive for nuclear CDX2 and CK7

DISCUSSION

Tumor to tumor metastases, first described by Fried in 1930, are rare, with a little over 100 cases reported in the literature.[4] They need to be differentiated from Collision tumors, defined as two neighbouring tumors invading one another. Tumor to tumor spread is characteristically defined if a metastatic focus is at least partially enclosed by a rim of benign, histologically distinct, host tumor tissue.[1,5]

Meningiomas are the most common recipients of metastatic lesions largely due to the clinical and biological characteristics of meningiomas (e.g., hypervascularity, high collagen and lipid content, and a slow growth rate).[4]

Here, the MR scan documented a meningioma that uniformly enhanced with contrast while the multifocal metastases were hypointense. In another series of patients with two such lesions, the MR findings were similar.[2]

The histopathological examination demonstrated metastatic deposits within the rim of the host tumor; adenocarcinoma most likely spread from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract but no primary lesion could be identified. Spinal metastasis from an unknown primary have been rarely reported.[3]

The treatment of choice in this case was complete surgical excision of the tumor with appropriate adjuvant therapy. In general, the prognosis for such combined lesions would depend mostly on the nature of the primary tumor.

CONCLUSION

Tumor to tumor metastases are rare and meningiomas, owing to their biological character and increased vascularity, are one of the most common recipients of a metastases from other lesions.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.