A group of malignant tumors of the nervous system that feature primitive cells with elements of neuronal and/or glial differentiation. Use of this term is limited by some authors to central nervous system tumors and others include neoplasms of similar origin which arise extracranially (i.e., NEUROECTODERMAL TUMORS, PRIMITIVE, PERIPHERAL). This term is also occasionally used as a synonym for MEDULLOBLASTOMA. In general, these tumors arise in the first decade of life and tend to be highly malignant. (From DeVita et al., Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 5th ed, p2059)

Annotation

coord IM with BRAIN NEOPLASMS (IM) or specific precoord organ/neopl term (IM); do not confuse with MEDULLOBLASTOMA

DUI

D018242 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0027471

Previous indexing

Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal (1979-1993)

History note

2000(1994)

Public note

2000; see NEUROECTODERMAL TUMOR, PRIMITIVE 1994-1999