neurofibrosarcoma

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are forms of peripheral nerve sheath tumors and comprise of malignant forms of neurofibromas and schwannomas. Approximately half of such tumors are seen in individuals with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), in such cases arising from pre-existing neurofibromas.

Epidemiology

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are estimated to account for 5-10% of all soft-tissue sarcomas. They typically present in young and middle-aged adults . There is no recognized gender predilection. When seen in the setting of NF1, they tend to occur in younger patients . They are also encountered with greater frequency in individuals who have previously received radiotherapy .

Clinical presentation

Clinical presentation varies depending on location.

Pathology

MPNSTs can either arise de-novo or de-differentiate from an existing neurofibroma (most often plexiform neurofibromas in NF1) or rarely other neurogenic tumors (e.g schwannoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma, pheochromocytoma) .

Location

MPNSTs usually arise from a large nerve, and thus usually occur close to a plexus (e.g. sacral plexus/brachial plexus). Cranial nerves are rarely involved, and on the rare occasions they are, then the MPNST has usually arisen from an underlying schwannoma rather than a neurofibroma .

Genetics

Most MPNSTs demonstrate inactivation of a number of genes: NF1, CDKN2A, and PRC2 .

Macroscopic appearance

The macroscopic appearance depends both on location and on whether or not the MPNST has arisen from an underlying pre-existing tumor. They are often large (>5 cm) at diagnosis, and may demonstrate local infiltration into surrounding tissues .

Microscopic appearance

The microscopic appearance of MPNSTs is heterogeneous, varying in cellularity and growth pattern, generally including tightly packed spindle cells arranged in either a herringbone or interwoven fasciculated pattern .

Immunophenotype

Immunohistochemistry reflects their neurogenic origin, with the following immunoreactivity :

• S100: positive in 50-70% - low in high-grade MPNSTs
• p53 protein: positive in 75%
• EGFR: positive in ~35%

Variants

A number of histological variants are recognized :

• epithelioid MPNST
• MPNST with divergent differentiation (aka malignant triton tumor)
• MPNST with perineural differentiation (aka malignant perineurioma)

Radiographic features

Imaging criteria are generally considered unreliable in differentiating from a more benign neurofibroma or schwannoma . However, general rules favoring an MPNST include:

• the larger the lesion, the more likely for it to be malignant
• irregular borders (although most MPNSTs can have well-defined margins)
• rapid growth in interval imaging

MRI

• T1
  • usually isointense to muscle
  • a heterogeneous signal on T1 (if present) may useful in differentiating from a neurofibroma
• T2
  • can have low signal due to high collagen content

Scintigraphy

Gallium scintigraphy may show higher uptake than that of a neurofibroma .

Treatment and prognosis

It is an aggressive tumor that carries a poor prognosis, with 20-25% of patients developing metastases . Poor prognostic factors include :

• NF1
• large size
• location on the trunk
• high-grade histological features

Siehe auch:

• Neurofibromatose Typ 1
• Schwannom
• Neurofibrom
• benigner peripherer Nervenscheidentumor
• Weichteilsarkom
• Neurofibromatose Typ 1 und Neurofibrosarkom
• sporadisches Neurofibrom
• neurogenic tumours
• Triton-Tumor
• Melanotisches Schwannom

und weiter:

• Tumoren des hinteren Mediastinums
• WHO-Klassifikation der Tumoren des zentralen Nervensystems
• Tumoren der Thoraxwand
• posterior mediastinal masses
• retroperitoneale Tumoren
• neuroradiologisches Curriculum
• Fibrosarkom
• Läsionen des Sakrums
• neurofibromatosis type 1 associated with a neurofibrosarcoma of the urinary bladder
• neurofibrosarcoma of the urinary bladder
• maligner peripherer Nervenscheidentumor (MPNST) des Nervus ischiadicus
• infiziertes Schwannom
• peripherer Nervenscheidentumor