peripheral neuroepithelioma: a study of eight cases

peripheral neuroepitbelioma (pn) is a rare highly malignant tumor, classified in the group of small round cell tumors. we report eight cases of pn, based on histologic appearance and immunohistochemical staining for neuron-specific enolase (nse). electron microscopy was also performed in three cases. the tumors exhibited rapid local growth, leading to limb amputation in five cases. histologically the presence of homer-wright rosettes is a characteristic of this neoplasm. tumoral cells are generally positive for nse. the relationship ofpn with ewing's sarcoma is discussed.