Malignant schwannoma with a rhabdomyoblastic component, a so-called triton tumor. A clinicopathologic study.

Triton tumors, malignant schwannomas with a rhabdomyoblastic component, are rare. This article reports the clinical course, therapeutic approach, and histopathologic aspects of three cases. Immunoperoxidase staining for the Schwann's cell marker S-100 protein and for the skeletal muscle proteins desmin, myosin, and myoglobin proved to be useful for diagnosis. The clinical histories of 24 previously reported cases are analyzed, and the therapeutic possibilities are discussed.