Primitive neuroectodermal tumor in a 57-year-old man.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors are rare cerebral neoplasms previously described only in children and young adults. This report describes such a tumor arising in the left frontal lobe of a 57-year-old man. After surgical resection and radiation therapy to the primary site, the patient developed extensive central nervous system metastases that led to his death. The histopathologic, radiographic, and clinical features of this case suggest that future therapeutic protocols for primitive neuroectodermal tumor should be similar to those for childhood medulloblastoma or neuroblastoma.