title: Primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the spine: a comprehensive review with illustrative clinical cases.
abstract: Primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are uncommon malignancies that are increasingly reported in the literature. Spinal PNETs, like their cranial counterparts, are aggressive tumors and patients with these tumors typically have short survival times despite maximal surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Because no standard management guidelines exist for treating these tumors, a multitude of therapeutic strategies have been employed with varying success. In this study the authors perform a comprehensive review of the literature on primary spinal PNETs and provide 2 new cases that highlight the salient features of their clinical management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA. jae2109@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Rothrock
authors.forename: Gaetan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moise
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: Kurenai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanji
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Canoll
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: McCormick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018242:Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery