Perineural invasion of cutaneous malignancies

BACKGROUND. Perineural invasion is an important mode of tumor spread and is associated with increased aggressiveness and a propensity for recurrence among cutaneous malignancies. OBJECTIVE. To review the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of cutaneous tumors exhibiting perineural invasion. METHODS. This article is based on a review of the medical literature concerning tumors with perineural involvement. RESULTS. This article describes the clinical signs and histologic features of cutaneous malignancies exhibiting perineural involvement. CONCLUSION. Appropriate patient care mandates consideration of perineural invasion in the evaluation of cutaneous tumors. As the majority of patients present without symptoms of neural involvement, physicians must be vigilant in the search for this type of tumor spread.