Tumors of Schwann's cells and pigmented skin cells

Both melanocytes and peripheral nerve sheath cells have an established origin from the neural crest. Benign and malignant neoplasms of these cells have distinctive ultrastructural features, but there is a group of tumors that has some characteristics of both cell types. The distinguishing feature of melanocytic neoplasms is the presence of cytoplasmic premelanosomes, which indicates cellular synthesis of melanin. Nerve-sheath neoplasms may show ultrastructural variation, but are generally found to have long cell processes associated with basal lamina-like material. Immunocytochemistry can be used to help distinguish tumors of melanocytic and Schwann's cells from unrelated neoplasms.