Primary Pigmented Malignant Schwannoma in the Posterior Mediastinum

This paper describes a rare case of primary pigmented malignant schwannoma arising from the sympathetic trunk in the posterior mediastinum. A 30-year-old woman underwent a thoracoscopic tumor extirpation. A primary pigmented malignant schwannoma was diagnosed histologically. The tumor presented fascicles and whorls of pigmented plump spindle cells and positive immunoreactivity to S-100 protein, vimentin, and HMB-45. Postoperative radiotherapy of the mediastinum was performed. Our case demonstrates the successful thoracoscopic resection and postoperative radiation treatment of a malignant schwannoma.

Key words:

Thoracic Surgery - Thoracoscopy - Malignancy - Schwannoma - Treatment

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Received for Publication: December 13, 2000