Malignant peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor-peripheral neuroepithelioma of the head and neck: a clinicopathologic study of five cases and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
The term primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) encompasses a number of neoplasms of common neuroectodermal origin, but of variable clinical, histopathologic, ultrastructural, and molecular characteristics. Here, we focus on one particular member of the PNET family, the malignant peripheral PNET (pPNET) or peripheral neuroepithelioma of head and neck.


METHODS
Five patients diagnosed with malignant pPNET-peripheral neuroepithelioma of head and neck were included in the study. All existing literature was reviewed.


RESULTS
The diagnosis of malignant pPNET-peripheral neuroepithelioma of the head and neck was confirmed in all five cases. All patients are alive after treatment with a combination of therapeutic modalities; only one patient had metastatic disease develop. A literature review revealed another 38 reported cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Malignant pPNET-peripheral neuroepithelioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of small, round, blue cell tumors of head and neck. A combination of multiple diagnostic modalities is essential for correct diagnosis, and multimodality treatment offers the best outcome.
Nikitakis
Nikolaos G
NG
Department of Diagnostic Sciences and Pathology, Dental School, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 666 W Baltimore Street, Room 4-C-02, Baltimore, Maryland 21201-1586, USA. nin001@dental.umaryland.edu
Salama
Andrew R
AR
O'Malley
Bert W
BW
Ord
Robert A
RA
Papadimitriou
John C
JC
D000071443:12E7 Antigen; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018241:Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000071443:12E7 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; C061828:CD99 protein, human; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules