Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors include:

• Previous radiation therapy for cancer. A malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor may develop in the area treated with radiation 10 to 20 years after treatment.
• Noncancerous nerve tumors. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors can develop from noncancerous (benign) nerve tumors, such as neurofibroma.
• An inherited condition that increases risk of nerve tumors. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors occur more frequently in people with neurofibromatosis 1.