A schwannoma starts from Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. Most schwannomas are not cancerous, but some can be.
The main type is vestibular schwannoma, which affects the nerve linking the brain and inner ear. They can also appear in other body areas, like the sciatic nerve, brachial plexus, and sacral plexus.
These tumors are rare, affecting less than 200,000 Americans yearly. They often show up between ages 50 and 60. Schwannomas are not common in children. The main cause is still a mystery, but sometimes, they come with genetic disorders like neurofibromatosis 2.
How schwannoma shows up depends on where it is and how big. Signs might be pain, weakness, swelling, and problems with movement. Like vestibular schwannomas can make you lose hearing or feel dizzy. Schwannomas on facial nerves could lead to a droopy face or trouble tasting. Those on the trigeminal nerve might cause face pain.
To spot a schwannoma, doctors often use MRI scans. Finding it early means better chances of treating it successfully.
How a schwannoma is treated depends on many things. This includes its size, where it is, and the patient’s health. Choices include keeping an eye on it, taking it out with surgery, using radiation (like CyberKnife), or sometimes chemo. Leaving a small, quiet tumor alone might be best for older folks or those not well. Surgery treats bigger tumors or ones that cause trouble. For some, less invasive methods can work. Radiation is another choice for hard-to-reach schwannomas or if surgery isn’t a good option. With a cancerous schwannoma, chemotherapy may help.
Key Takeaways:
- Schwannomas can be harmless or cancerous, starting in the Schwann cells of peripheral nerves.
- The most frequent type is vestibular schwannoma, affecting the nerve between the brain and ear.
- They can appear in many body parts, leading to various symptoms.
- MRI is usually how doctors find and measure schwannomas.
- Treatment can involve several methods, from waiting and observing to surgery, radiation, or chemo.
Types of Schwannomas and their Symptoms
Schwannomas can grow in different body areas. Their symptoms change based on tumor location. The main type is vestibular schwannoma. It affects nerves for balance and hearing. This can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness.
Facial schwannomas might lead to facial paralysis and issues with taste. Trigeminal schwannomas can bring facial pain and extra sensitivity. Various other schwannoma types can affect different nerves. This causes various symptoms, like pain, weakness, and sensory disturbances.
| Schwannoma Type | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Vestibular Schwannoma | Hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness |
| Facial Schwannoma | Facial paralysis, taste disorders |
| Trigeminal Schwannoma | Facial pain, facial sensitivity |
| Other types | Pain, weakness, sensory disturbances |
Note: The table above offers a quick look at various schwannoma types and their symptoms.
Treatment Options for Schwannomas
The way schwannomas are treated changes based on a few things. These include: the tumor’s size, where it is, its stage, and the patient’s health. Doctors look at all these to pick the best treatment plan.
Many ways exist to treat schwannomas. The choice depends on what’s best for the person. Options like just watching it, having surgery, using radiosurgery, or even chemotherapy are available.
Watching and waiting is okay for small tumors without symptoms. This is mainly for older people or those with big health problems. Doctors keep an eye on the tumor. If it starts to cause issues, then they think about treatment.
Surgery is often needed for bigger tumors or ones that show symptoms. It can be done openly or with small cuts, depending on the tumor. Doctors choose the best way to get it out safely.
Radiosurgery is like surgery but without cuts. The CyberKnife system is famous for this. It’s good for tiny tumors or those in tricky spots. This method targets the tumor closely and doesn’t harm much healthy tissue around it.
Sometimes, doctors use chemotherapy for the rare one that turned cancerous. But, this doesn’t always work on these tumors. It’s because the response to chemo varies.
The outlook for most schwannomas is pretty good. For non-cancerous tumors that can be fully taken out, the chance of it coming back is small. For surgery, the risk is lower if done at advanced medical centers. They have the best tech and skilled staff.