Neurofibrosarcoma
From Felipedia
A neurofibrosarcoma is a rare cancer of cats that causes neurological disease. Traditionally, these tumors are called schwannomas, neurofibromas, neurofibrosarcomas but all refer to malignant nerve sheath tumors with identical clinical features[1].
These tumors arise in the cranial and peripheral nerve roots and nerves in cats. Lymphosarcoma, malignant sarcoma and hamartoma occasionally involve peripheral nerves as well.
They are caused by an infiltrative spindle cell tumor thought to arise from Schwann cells, perineural fibroblasts, or both. They are a rare variant of the feline fibrosarcoma complex.
These tumors resemble a fibrosarcoma and histologically resemble neurofibromas with differentiation to peripheral nerve sheath fascicles.
Clinical signs depend on the location of the tumor and can involve spinal nerves and nerve roots at any location throughout the spine. Treatment for malignant sheath tumors, regardless of location, involves surgical removal of the neoplasm. The responsiveness of these sarcomatous tumors to radiation therapy is unknown. Recurrence locally is high.
References
- ↑ Dewey, CW (2010) A practical guide to canine and feline neurology. 2nd edition. Wiley-Blackwell, Iowa, pp:297-300
