Nerve sheath tumor

Nerve sheath tumor
SpecialtyNeuro-oncology

A nerve sheath tumor is a type of tumor of the nervous system (nervous system neoplasm) which is made up primarily of the myelin surrounding nerves. From benign tumors like schwannoma to high grade malignant neoplasms known as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, peripheral nerve sheath tumors include a range of clearly characterized clinicopathologic entities.[1] A peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST) is a nerve sheath tumor in the peripheral nervous system. Benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors include schwannomas and neurofibromas.[2]

A malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a cancerous peripheral nerve sheath tumor, which are frequently resistant to conventional treatments.[3]

  1. ^ Louis, DN.; Ohgaki, H.; Wiestler, OD.; Cavenee, WK., editors. WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System. International Agency for Research on Cancer; Lyon: 2007.
  2. ^ "Spinal Cord Tumors -- Nerve Sheath Tumors (Schwannomas and Neurofibromas)". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  3. ^ Slomiany MG, Dai L, Bomar PA, Knackstedt TJ, Kranc DA, Tolliver L, Maria BL, Toole BP. Abrogating drug resistance in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors by disrupting hyaluronan-CD44 interactions with small hyaluronan oligosaccharides. Cancer Res. 2009; 69:4992–4998. [PubMed: 19470767]