Choroid plexus carcinoma is a cancerous type of tumour that develops in the ventricles of the brain. These structures contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that provides protection for the spinal cord and the brain. Cells of the choroid plexus produce CSF.
As choroid plexus carcinoma gets larger, it can block the flow of CSF or cause an excess of CSF. These conditions can lead to increased pressure on the brain and related symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and headaches.
Choroid plexus carcinoma is rare and occurs most commonly in infants. Cancerous tumours in the choroid plexus are much less common than noncancerous tumours in the same region.
Common symptoms of a choroid plexus carcinoma include:
It’s important to remember that infants and younger children with a choroid plexus carcinoma will not be able to vocalise their symptoms in the same way older children and adults do. Infants and toddlers may struggle to feed or walk, while parts of the skull that have not completely hardened may feel full, as if there is a slight bulge.
The cause of choroid plexus carcinoma, specifically, is not known. Like with any cancerous mass, a choroid plexus carcinoma forms when genetic mutations occur that alter the body’s normal processes for stopping tumours from forming. Choroid plexus carcinoma has been linked to one inherited syndrome, known as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, in very rare cases.
The only known risk factor for developing choroid plexus carcinoma is having a parent with Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that drastically increases your risk of developing cancer.
A doctor will use the medical history and current symptoms of a patient with suspected choroid plexus carcinoma to make a diagnosis, along with a variety of neurological tests.
Some diagnostic tests that may be used include:
The main complication of choroid plexus carcinoma is the possibility of brain swelling, which can be fatal if not treated quickly.
It’s important to keep in mind that treatment of choroid plexus carcinoma is different for children than for adults, and a specialist will treat children diagnosed with choroid plexus carcinoma.
Treatment options include:
Patients with choroid plexus carcinoma and their families can discuss treatment options that are right for them with their doctor.