Adult supratentorial peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor with multiple metastases: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Abstract Background Intracranial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are characterized by poorly differentiated, highly malignant, aggressive small round tumor cells originating from the central and peripheral nervous systems. Case presentation A 25-year-old Chinese woman experienced sudden onset headache, vomiting, and severe anemia. Imaging examinations revealed a mass in the left parietal occipital lobe. Following microsurgery, histological confirmation revealed the tumor to be pPNET. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) showed multiple metastases in the lung, liver, and retroperitoneal lymph node. Unfortunately, she died of tumor cachexia 1 month after chemotherapy. Conclusions Due to the rare presentation of pPNET, pPNET would be misdiagnosed without the histological diagnosis. Here, we aimed to provide clinicians with information about the treatment and relevant literature of pPNET.

Keywords

• Supratentorial peripheral PNET (pPNET)
• Multiple metastases
• Severe anemia
• Microsurgery