Spinal Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET) in a 64-year-old Male Treated with Surgery, Radiotherapy, and Chemotherapy: A Case Report

Abstract

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are a heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms found primarily in childhood and early adulthood. In this paper, we described the case of a 64-year-old male with primary spinal PNET, successfully treated with surgery, craniospinal radiotherapy, and concurrent chemotherapy.

This is the case of a 64-year-old male who presented with a 2-month history of bilateral lower extremity weakness and numbness associated with urinary and bowel incontinence. Work-up was done, and the spine's plain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a heterogeneously enhancing intradural lesion with an extradural component at the right T9/T10 level, causing mild to moderate cord compression. The patient underwent laminectomy and gross total resection of the said tumor. Histology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the spine. The tumor recurred three months after the surgery, and the patient was then referred for radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy. Repeat spinal MRIs with three- to six-month intervals after treatment showed no tumor recurrence as of August 2021.

Primary spinal PNETs are rarely found in adults, especially in the elderly. These tumors currently have no recommendations or guidelines regarding their management. Thus, most cases are presently being managed based on studies on children and central nervous system (CNS) PNETs.

This paper presented a case of a successfully treated primary spinal PNET in the elderly. The management was primarily based on studies done on that of the pediatric population and CNS PNETs.