J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2010 Jan;47(1):51-54. 10.3340/jkns.2010.47.1.51.

The Early Detection of Recurrence of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor by Frequent Magnetic Resonance Imaging

• Lee CS
• Huh JS
• Chang JW
• Park JK

• KMID: 1495090
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2010.47.1.51

Abstract

Surgery has a key role in the treatment of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), but the resectability of paraspinal MPNSTs is only 20%. Therefore, spinal MPNSTs show frequent recurrence and poor prognosis. Local recurrence is much more common than metastasis for MPNSTs, and surgery still has a key role in the treatment of local recurrence. Therefore, it is important that recurrence must be detected before resectability is lost. However, no evidence-based follow-up protocol has been established for MPNST. The authors performed gross total resection in a 34-year-old woman presented with thoracic MPNST. Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy were not administered since these adjuvant therapies generally do not improve survival in MPNST and may cause additional neurovascular damage. Instead, the authors monitored the primary site every 3 months using magnetic resonance imaging to detect local recurrence at the earliest opportunity. The tumor recurred locally on two occasions without overt symptoms at 21 and 24 months postoperatively. These recurrences were treated successfully by gross total removal.

Keyword

Follow-up; Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor; Recurrence

MeSH Terms

Adult
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Magnetics
Magnets
Neoplasm Metastasis
Nerve Sheath Neoplasms
Peripheral Nerves
Prognosis
Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
Recurrence