Tumor-to-Tumor Metastasis in Central Nervous System Tumors
Summary
Tumour-to-tumour metastasis (TTM) is a rare event in which one primary neoplasm (donor) metastasises into another distinct primary neoplasm (recipient). Within the central nervous system, meningiomas are the most frequently reported recipients due to their abundant vascular network, slow proliferative rate and collagen‐rich stroma that may foster seeding of metastatic cells. Common donors include breast, lung and renal carcinomas. Clinically, patients often present with sudden changes in neurological symptoms or atypical imaging features of a known lesion. Definitive diagnosis relies on histopathological and immunohistochemical examination, which reveal two distinct tumour populations. Recognising TTM has critical implications for surgical management, choice of adjuvant therapy and prognosis, as the metastatic component may exhibit differing sensitivity to systemic treatments compared with the recipient tumour.
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Tumor-to-Tumor Metastasis in Central Nervous System Tumors publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in tumor-to-tumor metastasis in central nervous system tumors across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Tumour-to-tumour metastasis (TTM): The phenomenon in which cells from one primary tumour (donor) metastasise into and grow within a separate primary tumour (recipient).
Meningioma: A usually benign primary central nervous system tumour arising from the arachnoidal cap cells of the meninges, characterised by slow growth and a rich blood supply.
Donor tumour: The original neoplasm from which metastatic cells spread in TTM.
Recipient tumour: The pre-existing neoplasm that harbours metastatic cells from another primary tumour in TTM.
References
- Intracranial meningioma with carcinoma tumor-to-tumor metastasis: two case reports. CNS Oncology (2018).
- Metastasis of an occult pulmonary carcinoma into meningioma: a case report. World Journal of Surgical Oncology (2015).
- Simultaneous meningioma and brain metastasis from renal cell carcinoma – a rare presentation. Case report. Sao Paulo Medical Journal (2017).
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