Schwann cells produce myelin sheaths that cover peripheral nerves. A Schwannoma is a tumor made up of Schwann cells that wraps around a neuron. A malignant Schwannoma is a cancerous type of Schwannoma. Most Schwannomas are benign, but about 1% become malignant. A malignant Schwannoma is typically treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Schwann cells are cells of the nervous system that produce the myelin sheaths that cover peripheral nerves. A Schwannoma is a tumor made up of Schwann cells that wraps around a neuron. A malignant Schwannoma, or malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, is a cancerous type of Schwannoma. Schwannomas consist exclusively of Schwann cells and are relatively slow to grow. Although Schwannomas always develop outside a nerve, they can put pressure on the surrounding nerve or tissue.
Schwann cells are glial cells, one of the cell types that make up the nervous system. Glial cells are support cells, which help keep neurons up and running. Schwann cells wrap around neurons to form a fatty myelin sheath, which insulates neurons and speeds up their signaling. They are also involved in nerve development and regeneration.
A malignant Schwannoma is a type of soft tissue sarcoma. It often affects the sciatic nerve, the nerve that starts in the lower back and runs through the leg. These tumors can also be found in the brachial plexus, or nerves in the upper arm, and the sacral plexus, a bundle of nerves in the lower back. The most common type of Schwannoma is called an acoustic neuroma because it grows on the eighth cranial nerve, which controls hearing. An acoustic neuroma can cause deafness.
Most Schwannomas are benign and only about 1% become malignant. A malignant Schwannoma develops into a form of cancer called neurofibrosarcoma. This form of cancer is dangerous, however, it is often not fatal. A study at Massachusetts General Hospital found an 85% survival rate among patients with a malignant Schwannoma.
About half of all cases of malignant Schwannoma occur in people with neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that affects nerve cells. The severity of neurofibromatosis can vary from person to person. Tumors that grow due to this condition can be benign or malignant. However, even benign tumors can be problematic, because they can compress nerves and tissues.
A malignant Schwannoma is typically treated with surgery to completely remove the tumor. However, this surgery is not always successful and the tumor can grow back. Radiation therapy, a technique in which high-energy waves are directed at a tumor, can help prevent a malignant tumor from growing back. It can also be used to slow the growth of cancerous tumors or even shrink them. Chemotherapy is another treatment, however, it is not as commonly used for soft tissue sarcomas such as malignant schwannomas.
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