[A patient with advanced breast cancer who developed bacterial meningitis after chemotherapy].

A 76-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a right breast tumor and a skin ulcer. The patient was diagnosed as having advanced breast cancer T4bN2M1(lung), Stage IV. A regimen of 5-fluorouracil(500mg/m2)with epirubicin(100mg/m / 2)and cyclophosphamide(500mg/m2)(FEC100)was administered. However, the patient was hospitalized 12 days later because of febrile neutropenia. The patient experienced a stiff neck the next day, and bacterial meningitis was diagnosed on the basis of cerebrospinal fluid examination. Antibacterial agents were administered according to the clinical practice guidelines of bacterial meningitis. The patient recovered and was discharged from our hospital 24 days after admission. Bacterial meningitis after chemotherapy is rare, but this could be progress to a serious condition. Early diagnosis and treatment are paramount in such cases.