Long-term survival of a patient with leptomeningeal involvement by nasopharyngeal carcinoma after treatment with high-dose intravenous methotrexate.

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with leptomeningeal involvement is rare and typically has poor prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We present a case report of a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who was treated with high-dose intravenous methotrexate and remains asymptomatic and without clinical evidence of disease 6 years later. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic high-dose methotrexate should be evaluated in the treatment of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma with central nervous involvement.