Histopathologic and immunohistochemical study of malignant tumors of peripheral nerve sheath (malignant schwannoma)

Abstract

Histologic and immunochemical analyses were performed on 38 cases and 33 cases of malignant tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath, respectively. The histologic features consisted of either closely packed or loosely arranged interlacing fascicles of slender spindle cells that showed a wavy pattern. Although no characteristic findings indicative of neurogenic differentiation could be confirmed with anti-S-100-protein, a fair number of positive cells were seen in the area where the tumor cells were loosely arranged and displayed a wavy pattern. When anti-neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and anti-neurofilament antibody (68K, 200K) were applied, they were found to be positive in cells differentiating to ganglion cells and in epithelial cells. Since S-100-protein-positive cells indicate a differentiation to Schwann cells and NSE-positive cells and neurofilament-positive cells to nerve cells, it was concluded that immunohistochemistry can serve as an effective supplementary method for the diagnosis of malignant tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath.

Practical Issues for Retroperitoneal Sarcoma

“…101,102 Between 50% and 90% of cases of MPNST are positive for S100, which demonstrates focal staining, and 2% to 15% show weak expression of TLE1. 97,[103][104][105][106][107][108] SOX10 has recently been reported to show better sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of MPNST than S100. 109 A rare variant, epithelioid MPNST, is not associated with type 1 neurofibromatosis and commonly arises from preexisting schwannoma.…”

Soft Tissue Sarcomas in the African Hedgehog (Atelerix Albiventris): Microscopic and Immunohistologic Study of Three Cases

“…9,12 The MPNSTs are heterogeneous tumors immunohistochemically, but the majority stain strongly for vimentin and variably for S100 protein and NSE. 9,13,15 In these cases, both cutaneous tumors were strongly positive for vimentin and fewer cells were positive for NSE and laminin. None of the tumors was positive for S100 protein.…”

“…7,12 The morphologic features may vary among tumors due to their multiple cell origin, so other tests (immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy) have been used to confirm the diagnosis. 7,9,13,15 Ultrastructural studies were only done on case no. 1, and results were inconclusive.…”

Primary Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor with Eosinophilic Cytoplasmic Globules Arising from the Greater Omentum in a Dog

“…Immunohistochemically, antibodies against S-100 protein, GFAP, MBP, and NSE have been widely used to suggest a neural origin of cell types [4,16]. In the present case, most of the neoplastic cells were reactive to S-100 protein, GFAP, MBP, NSE and vimentin, suggesting a neuroectodermal lineage.…”

“…The globule-possessing cells are different from infiltrating macrophages involved in erythrophagocytosis, because these cells were negative for lysozyme and myeloid/ histiocyte antigen, which has been used for the detection of macrophages [16]. Furthermore, ingested erythrocytes did not react to PAS.…”