Schwannoma

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Schwannoma
Classification and external resources
Schwannoma
ICD-O:	M9560/0
DiseasesDB	33713
MeSH	D009442

A schwannoma, also known as a neurilemmoma^[1]:621, is a benign nerve sheath tumor composed of Schwann cells, which normally produce the insulating myelin sheath covering peripheral nerves.

Schwannomas are very homogeneous tumors, consisting only of Schwann cells. The tumor cells always stay on the outside of the nerve, but the tumor itself may either push the nerve aside and/or up against a bony structure (thereby possibly causing damage). Schwannomas are relatively slow growing. For reasons not yet understood, schwannomas are mostly benign and less than 1% become malignant, degenerating into a form of cancer known as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, malignant schwannoma, or neurofibrosarcoma.

Schwannomas can arise from a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis.

Schwannomas can be removed surgically, but can then recur.

[edit] Additional images

	Subcutaneous schwannoma

[edit] References

1. ^ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.

[edit] See also

• Neurofibroma
• Vestibular schwannoma (Acoustic neuroma)

v • d • e Nervous tissue tumors/nervous system neoplasm/Neuroectodermal tumor (ICD-O 9350-9589) / brain tumors (C69-C72/D31-D33, 190-192/224-225) Endocrine (9350-9379) Craniopharyngioma · Pinealoma Glioma (9380-9489) Astrocyte Astrocytoma (Pilocytic astrocytoma, Glioblastoma multiforme) Oligodendrocyte Oligodendroglioma Ependyma/choroid plexus Ependymoma · Choroid plexus papilloma · Choroid plexus tumor Multiple/unknown Oligoastrocytoma · Gliomatosis cerebri · Gliosarcoma Neuroepitheliomatous (9490-9529) Mature neuron Ganglioneuroma: Ganglioglioma · Retinoblastoma · Neurocytoma · Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour PNET Neuroblastoma (Esthesioneuroblastoma, Ganglioneuroblastoma) · Medulloblastoma · Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor Meningiomas (meninges) (9530-9539) Meningioma Nerve sheath tumor (9540-9579) Neurofibroma (Neurofibrosarcoma, Neurofibromatosis) · Schwannoma · Neurinoma · Acoustic neuroma · Neuroma · Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor Blood/vascular Primary central nervous system lymphoma · Hemangioblastoma Other Eye note: not all brain tumors are of nervous tissue, and not all nervous tissue tumors are in the brain see also non-congenital, congenital