Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in the parotid gland developed on the basis of neurofibromatosis type 1

Abstract

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors arising from the parotid gland are very rare. They can develop as sporadic cases, or on the basis neurofibromatosis type 1. Tumors originating from the parotid gland are generally easy to palpate and have a solid characteristic. Even if the tumor is malignant in character, the incidence of facial paralysis at the time of diagnosis is around 15% in various studies. However, a malignant tumor originating from the nerve itself may not be noticed during the physical examination for a long period time although it cases facial paralysis and may be mistaken with other non-neoplastic diseases involved in the etiology of facial paralysis leading to a delay in the diagnosis and treatment. Especially patients with type 1 neurofibromatosis have a great tendency to develop malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. In this article a case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor developed on the basis of neurofibromatosis type 1 was reported.