What is the goal of administering intrathecal chemotherapy?

The goal of administering intrathecal chemotherapy is to deliver chemotherapy directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This method is particularly beneficial for targeting cancer cells that have either invaded these areas or are otherwise inaccessible through systemic circulation due to the blood-brain barrier.

By using this route, healthcare providers can achieve higher local concentrations of the chemotherapy agent specifically in the central nervous system (CNS), which can be more effective in treating certain types of cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and other CNS tumors. In contrast, systemic administration might not deliver an adequate concentration of these agents to the site of action within the CNS, making intrathecal administration a crucial option in managing such cases.