From Cancer Cells in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Meninges to Medulloblastoma Cells: Primary Tumors and Metastatic Cancers of the Central Nervous System

Objective: This study aims to explore the diagnostic methods for tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) based on different morphological characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cells. Methods: Through the case analysis of meningeal carcinoma, medulloblastoma and glioma, combined with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) staining and other staining methods, the morphological characteristics of CSF cells in different tumors of the central nervous were found. Results: Through CT and CEA staining, it was found that the detection rate of primary tumors except for medulloblastoma was generally low (15%-30%), while that of secondary tumors was relatively higher, reaching up to 30%-75%. Measurement data were expressed as mean +/- standard deviation (x +/- SD). Intergroup comparison was conducted using t-test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Conclusion: In addition to the major morphological features of primary and secondary tumors, in the process of diagnosis, physicians should be aware that the pia matter is a very thin layer of connective tissue, its density is close to the surrounding tissues, and it is very difficult for CT and MRI to distinguish between the pia mater and lesions in it. The determination on whether tumor cells can be detected via CSF cytology depends on whether the tumor invades the subarachnoid space and pia mater. This requires a high degree of responsibility in the diagnosis. Furthermore, the previous examination results should be in contrast, suspected meningeal cancer patients should undergo repeated examinations, and more smears should be made in one examination, in order to improve the positive rate.