A case of cutaneous malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the foot associated with neurofibromatosis type 1

Abstract

A 51-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with a left foot mass that had progressively enlarged for two years. The mass was a 3.5-cm well-circumscribed superficial tumor, and we resected the tumor based on a diagnosis of neurofibroma. A histopathological examination demonstrated atypical spindle cells proliferating in the dermis to the subcutis. These findings led to a diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). After an additional wide excision, no recurrence or metastasis was evident for 2 years. Most MPNSTs arise in association with major nerve trunks, and superficial MPNST is rare. We herein report a cutaneous MPNST located in the dermis to the subcutis.[Skin Cancer (Japan) 2013 ; 28 : 302-305]