Peripheral nerve sheath tumors

Abstract

Peripheral nerve sheath tumors include both benign and malignant lesions. Surgical resection has been the treatment of choice for the management of such lesions. In certain instances, adjuvant therapy may be necessary. Radiotherapeutic modalities continue to evolve, and the advent of conformal, volumetric radiosurgical techniques has expanded indications for their use in spinal and peripheral nerve lesions. Studies suggest a role for stereotactic radiosurgery for treating benign peripheral lesions; early evidence suggests a possible role of this modality in the treatment of malignant peripheral nerve sheath lesions as well. Pain, as well as tumor size, may be well controlled while maintaining a low level of procedure-associated morbidity and mortality. Although no consensus exists for size, radiation dose, or fractionation, further studies may elicit appropriate indications for the ideal application of stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of benign and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.