Neural Tumor - Brachial Plexus - Can't Find Surgeon - Pls. Help

I have to get a neural tumor removed from my brachial plexus (it's in my armpit).

My neurosurgeon doesn't have the experience to remove it, and is having problems locating one. Apparently there are only a handful of neurosurgeons with this specialization.

Where should I look? It is possibly a neurofibroma/schwannoma, and at last measurement was 4 x 3 x 2.8 cm.

It's starting to cause major problems in my whole nervous system, pins and needles everywhere, so I need to get it out now.

Any help would be great.
Thanks.

[run4you]

Anyone?

I guess I should give up on the Neuro forum here?... Second time I've posted with no responses.

[ellijaygal]

Where are you? USA? Where? What State? I looked up your condition on the internet and found several doctors who have written papers on the condition. You may want to start there.

[run4you]

TN, near Nashville. I saw the top neuro here, and apparently there are no docs in the area that do this surgery. I haven't been able to find any outside of Mayo and John Hopkins that are neurosurgeons with brachial plexus specialties... That seems to be the holdup. Several neurosurgeons deal with neural tumors, just not brachial plexus. If you don't mind sharing, where did you find the info?

[RoyalBlueLady]

I can't guarantee that my surgeon is the right one for you, but here's my experience: I had a schwannoma tumor removed from my brachial plexus two years ago -- as far as I can tell, the surgeon did a fantastic job. On the latest MRI, the tumor is completely gone and isn't returning. My arm and hand are improving (for example, I can now type with both hands). Eugene, Oregon

If you are interested, I can find out if she would see you.

[Bray1980]

Hi.

Try contacting Joshua Hornig, MD at MUSC in Charleston SC. He's an excellent surgeon and its a top-notch facility. People from many different countries fly out here to get treatment and surgeries.

http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/facultydirectory/FacultyDetails.aspx?facultyId=4125

http://www.muschealth.com/ent/facultystaff/hornig.htm

[mkr96]

Hello, my husband has a Schwannoma in his armpit and we are aggressively looking for a physician. How is everything working out? I need to find a doc immediately.

Thank you,
Melissa