What Is a Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor?
A malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor is a cancerous growth that appears in the soft tissue lining of a nerve. It most commonly develops around a long nerve in one of the extremities, though a tumor can also affect a nerve in the chest, abdomen, pelvis, or neck. A person may experience pain and weakness in the area of the growth that gradually worsens over time. A small malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor can often be removed surgically, but large or multiple tumors may require a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation in an attempt to shrink them and reduce the chances of cancer spreading to other parts of the body.
