PERIPHERAL NEUROEPITHELIOMA: A STUDY OF EIGHT CASES

Peripheral neuroepitbelioma (PN) is a rare highly malignant tumor, classified in the group of small round cell tumors. We report eight cases of PN, based on histologic appearance and immunohistochemical staining for neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Electron microscopy was also performed in three cases. The tumors exhibited rapid local growth, leading to limb amputation in five cases. Histologically the presence of Homer-Wright rosettes is a characteristic of this neoplasm. Tumoral cells are generally positive for NSE. The relationship ofPN with Ewing's sarcoma is discussed.