Ectopic neural and neuroendocrine neoplasms

Semin Diagn Pathol. 2003 Nov;20(4):305-23. doi: 10.1053/j.semdp.2003.08.006.

Abstract

Although neural and neuroendocrine tissues are distributed virtually ubiquitously throughout the body, the occurrence of selected neoplasms related to those lineages is extremely uncommon in some topographic sites. This review considers the clinicopathologic characteristics of heterotopic pituitary adenomas; neuroendocrine carcinomas in non-organ-based locations; ectopic (extraneuraxial) meningiomas and gliomas; visceral neuroblastic neoplasms and primitive neuroectodermal tumors; and paragangliomas arising outside the sympathoadrenal neural network. Practical approaches to differential diagnosis are emphasized.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue / chemistry
  • Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue / pathology*
  • Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral / chemistry
  • Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral / pathology*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / chemistry
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor