Part 2 book "Atlas of anatomic pathology" presentation of content: Neurogenic tumors, soft tissue tumors of the mediastinum, germ cell tumors, lymphoproliferative disorders. Invite you to consult | 4 Neurogenic Tumors Neurogenic tumors of the mediastinum are relatively rare and are most often encountered in the pediatric-age population. They most commonly arise from structures in the posterior mediastinum, although they can originate from all three mediastinal compartments. Neurogenic tumors are, in fact, the most common tumors of the posterior mediastinum in both children and adults. Neurogenic tumors can be of neuroblastic origin or may arise from peripheral nerve sheath elements (Table ). Table Neurogenic tumors of the mediastinum Neuroblastic tumors Ganglioneuroma Ganglioneuroblastoma Neuroblastoma Peripheral nerve sheath tumors Schwannoma Neurofibroma Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor Neuroblastic Neoplasms Neuroblastic neoplasms (Figs. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and ) arise from primitive precursor cells of the sympathetic nervous system. They are the most common solid tumors in children under 1 year of age, although they can also occur in older children and in adults. Some cases can be associated with neurofibromatosis (NF1). They show a histologic spectrum that ranges from very welldifferentiated and mature neuronal elements to tumors composed of primitive and poorly differentiated cells, mimicking the entire spectrum of neuroblastic maturation. Fig. Neuroblastic tumors are most often large and solid, well circumscribed, and surrounded by a fibrous capsule. They usually show a smooth outer surface. This image is an example of a ganglioneuroma, the most common benign tumor originating from the thoracic sympathetic nerves S. Suster (ed.), Atlas of Mediastinal Pathology, Atlas of Anatomic Pathology, DOI , © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2015 89 90 4 Neurogenic Tumors Fig. Ganglioneuromas are benign neurogenic tumors composed of mature
