Perineural Invasion and Perineural Tumor Spread in Head and Neck Cancer

Imaging of perineural tumor spread in head and neck cancer.

Perineural spread (PNS) of head and neck tumors is a well-described phenomenon whereby a lesion can migrate away from the primary site along the neural sheath. By this mechanism, tumor can spread a considerable distance and compromise vital neurologic structures, with significant impact on treatment and prognosis. It is crucial that radiologists search for PNS whenever imaging the head and neck...

Perineural spread in head and neck tumors.

Perineural spread is the dissemination of some types of head and neck tumors along nervous structures. Perineural spread has negative repercussions on treatment because it requires more extensive resection and larger fields of irradiation. Moreover, perineural spread is associated with increased local recurrence, and it is considered an independent indicator of poor prognosis in the TNM classif...

Perineural spread in head and neck tumors

Perineural Spread in Head and Neck Cancer: Current Perspectives

Perineural spread is mechanism of tumor dissemination along a nerve in the head and neck with decreased survival and a higher risk of local recurrence and metastasis. Even though several theories have been proposed, pathogenesis of perineural spread is poorly understood. Advances in diagnostic imaging and the development of new fronts like skull base surgery have brought a transcending change i...

UPDATE IN RADIOLOGY Perineural spread in head and neck tumors