Meningeal metastasis (MM), particularly Leptomeningeal metastases (LM), represents the advanced stage of solid tumors and poses a significant threat to patients' lives. Moreover, it imposes a substantial burden on society. LM represents the ultimate and most fatal stage of solid tumors, inflicting devastating consequences on patients and imposing a substantial burden on society. The incidence of LM continues to rise annually, emphasizing the urgent need for early recognition and treatment initiation in individuals with LM to significantly extend overall patient survival. Despite rapid advancements in current LM detection and treatment methods, the diagnosis of LM remains constrained by several limitations such as low diagnostic efficiency, the therapeutic outcomes remain suboptimal. Furthermore, there is currently no universally recognized industry standard for LM treatment, further underscoring its status as an unresolved challenge in tumor management. Additionally, progress towards elucidating the mechanisms underlying MM has stagnated. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively summarize recent research advances pertaining to MM in solid tumors by elucidating its underlying mechanisms, exploring diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers while addressing existing research challenges.