Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor of head-neck region: Our experience

Abstract

To present four rare cases of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors of different sites of head and neck region. Four cases of different age (range 8-40 years) and sex (three female, one male) with rare primitive neuroectodermal tumor of sinonasal region and neck are presented. Treatment options, biological behavior and prognostic outcome are discussed herewith. Two patients succumbed to the disease within four to six months of treatment; other two patients are still under follow-up depicting the aggressive nature of the tumor. Primitive neuroectodermal tumor belongs to the class of malignant round cell tumor. Immunohistochemistry plays a pivotal role in differentiating this tumor entity. Chemoradiation was tried, but local and systemic spread occurs early and holds poor prognosis. This case series is an attempt to describe the aggressive behavior of this rare tumor with high mortality. © Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2009.