Primary spinal peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour: a report of 3 cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNETs) are rare and highly malignant tumours in the spine, with a predilection for young adults. There are no standard guidelines for treating these tumours. Surgical resection combined with postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy is a common and effective treatment at present. Even so, survival time of patients with these tumours is still very short. In this study, we present three rare cases of thoracic epidural PNETs and review the literature.