Cutaneous malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) of the hand: a review of current literature.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST) are spindle cell sarcomas normally situated in the deep soft tissues. Cutaneous MPNST is an uncommon variant, usually occurring in the head and neck. When it arises in the upper limb this tumour may pose a considerable diagnostic and therapeutic problem. We present a case of cutaneous MPNST arising in the hand. Tumour extension was exclusively perineural along three major nerve trunks from an interdigital origin. Current knowledge of the clinical behaviour of cutaneous MPNST is reviewed.