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Melanotic primitive neuroectodermal (neuroepithelial) tumor of medulla
Author(s) -
Shuangshoti Samruay
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930320111
Subject(s) - medulloblastoma , neuroepithelial cell , pathology , medulla , primitive neuroectodermal tumor , fourth ventricle , glial fibrillary acidic protein , neuroectodermal tumor , biology , medicine , anatomy , immunohistochemistry , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , neural stem cell
A 69‐year‐old man had a melanotic primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the medulla displaying various neuroepithelial elements including undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells forming Homer Wright's rosettes as well as neoplastic neuroglia resembling those seen in medulloblastoma. The neuroglial tumor cells were verified by demonstrating glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the cells. These findings support the concept that the primitive neuroectodermal tumor and medulloblastoma are similar neoplasms. They have been described by such diverse names as melanotic medulloblastomas and progonomas. Review of 18 reported cases of intracranial melanotic primitive neuroectodermal tumors, including the present one, reveals that they have common pathologic features, are most frequent in the cerebellum and fourth ventricle, often metastasize widely within the neuraxis or even systemically, occur more frequently in children than adults, and strike males more often than females.