Non‐neoplastic glandular structures in a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor

Abstract

It is a recognized fact that glandular structures sometimes occur in peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNST). Reports indicate that epithelial potential could be expressed in malignant PNST, while the glands in most benign PNST could be trapped skin adnexa. We present a case of spindle cell tumor with glandular structures. The patient was a 55-year-old man who had a subcutaneous tumor excised. The spindle cell tumor had histological characteristics of neurofibroma. The glandular structures had a pattern of immunohistochemical staining that was similar to that of the secretory coils and excretory ducts of normal eccrine glands. Therefore, the glands were thought to be naturally existing eccrine glands. The glands were completely enclosed within the tumor and not connected to one another; a cluster formation was not observed. The upper portion of tumor included some glands of skin adnexa. The spindle cell tumor may have originated from the nerves distributed around the skin adnexa, and grown to the subcutaneous tissue. The glands may have been left behind rather than have been trapped in the tumor.

Unusual histological presentation in neurofibromas: Two case reports

“…It is interesting to note that adnexal glands have also been reported in neurofibroma and it has been proposed that the tumor appeared in the nerves around the eccrine glands and grown to the subcutaneous tissue, and the glands might have been left behind rather than entrapped by the growing tumor [ 9 ].…”

Metastatic acinic cell carcinoma in a neurofibroma mistaken for carcinosarcoma

“…A final diagnostic consideration worth mentioning is that of a neurofibroma with mucin‐producing cells. It is worth noting that benign glandular epithelium can be seen in neurofibromas and may be confused with a metastatic carcinoma 18–20. In this case, benign glands were present at the periphery of the tumor, representing what we believe are entrapped adnexal structures.…”

Benign glandular schwannoma

“…Only a few reports have described such occurrences and suggested different hypotheses. [12][13][14] The glandular elements have been suggested to originate from skin entrapment. 15 Other potential reasons behind the origin of these glandular structures is metaplasia 11 or the glands being induced by the tumor from pluripotential neural crest cells rather than being entrapped.…”