Perineural invasion of cutaneous malignancies.
BACKGROUND
Perineural invasion is an important mode of tumor spread and is associated with increased aggressiveness and a propensity for recurrence among cutaneous malignancies.


OBJECTIVE
To review the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of cutaneous tumors exhibiting perineural invasion.


METHODS
This article is based on a review of the medical literature concerning tumors with perineural involvement.


RESULTS
This article describes the clinical signs and histologic features of cutaneous malignancies exhibiting perineural involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Appropriate patient care mandates consideration of perineural invasion in the evaluation of cutaneous tumors. As the majority of patients present without symptoms of neural involvement, physicians must be vigilant in the search for this type of tumor spread.
Feasel
A M
AM
Christus St. Joseph Hospital, University of Texas Health Science Center, 6655 Travis, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Brown
T J
TJ
Bogle
M A
MA
Tschen
J A
JA
Nelson
B R
BR
D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000556:secondary*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*