Abstract:  Objective To analyze the clinical features of cryptococcal meningitis in cancer patients as well as the risk factors for this disease. Methods Clinical data for 32 patients with malignant tumors and cryptococcal meningitis were retrospectively analyzed using single-and multiple-factor logistic regression. Results The most frequent symptoms of cryptococcal meningitis were fever and headache. Other than significantly elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure，patients with cryptococcal meningitis did not show any specific signs or symptoms based on routine examination of cerebrospinal fluid，biochemical tests，computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Cryptococcal meningitis was able to be confirmed by detecting cryptococcus in cerebrospinal fluid by microscopy or in a culture test. Multifactorial analysis identified the following factors as significant predictors of whether a patient would suffer cryptococcal meningitis（P＜0.05）：to what extent bone marrow was suppressed，whether broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered quickly after onset of symptoms， whether the patient received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy，whether the patient underwent an invasive operation， and whether the patient had reduced albumin levels or was in poor physical condition. Conclusion Decreasing the rate of cryptococcal infection of patients with malignant tumors involves reducing or eliminating risk factors， strengthening immunity and providing supportive care. Early diagnosis of infection and early antifungal therapy can improve the prognosis of cancer patients with cryptococcal meningitis.

Key words: Maligant tumor, Cryptococcal meningitis, Clinical analysis