ISOLATED METASTASES TO PERIPHERAL-NERVES - REPORT OF 5 CASES INVOLVING THE BRACHIAL-PLEXUS

Background. Primary true isolated metastasis in a peripheral nerve tru nk is considered a rare phenomenon Several routes of tumor invasion of the peripheral nervous system from different types of cancer and in v arious anatomic locations have been described in the literature; howev er, the brachial plexus is an uncommon site of such blood-born metasta ses. Methods. Five patients with severe brachial plexus neuropathy wit hout obvious external signs of tumor masses and no detectable regional lymph node involvement underwent exploration of the plexus. Results. Isolated metastatic deposits were identified inside the nerve trunks. Radiation therapy to the area of the lesion provided. good symptomatic relief to all patients and local arrest of the disease to four of fiv e. Conclusions, Despite its rich vascularity, the Peripheral nerve has relative resistance to metastatic spread because there are blood-nerv e barriers. This barrier should be investigated further in a tumor mod el.