Re: Schwannoma

Posted By Melanie Gray on July 23, 1999 at 10:10:53
Recently my 8 month old son had a cyst removed from his right foreleg just below the knee.  (I noticed the cyst within the first weeks of life).  The pathology report said this cyst was a schwannoma and that a consult is recommended to rule out nervous tumor syndrome.  I have a consult scheduled with a pediatric neuroligist in 2 months (this was the soonest I could get in).  Niether my husband or I have ever had anything like this.   I don't like the idea of anything possibly wrong with my son and 2 months seems like forever to wait.  So my questions are:  What is nervous tumor syndrome?  If my son does have this, how will this affect him?  Could my son get other Schwannomas elsewhere and how could that affect him if he does?  (I've read form other forums about Schwannoma on the face causing facial ticks).  Since a Schwannoma is a growth off of a nerve cell and the Saphenous nerve runs right in the location that the cyst was removed do I have to worry about damage to the Saphenous nerve?  (the cyst was removed by an orthopedic surgeon and there was no mention by anyone about nerve damage, I'm just wondering  if damage could be done without knowing it).  I know I have many questions but I've had time to ponder.  I would really appreciate any information you could offer and where I could get more information about nervous tumor syndrome and Schwannoma.

[CCF MD GS]

Posted By CCF MD GS on July 23, 1999 at 11:04:03
Thanks for the question and I hope I can help out alittle.Scwannomas are usually benign tumors that arise from nervous tissue. The usual age presentation is 20-50 yrs of age. These tumors are usually solitary and arise from within the nerve. Treatment is usually surgical resection. As with any surgery injury can occur to a nerve and if so you would expect to see problems related to that nerves function. An EMG test can be done to determine nerve function depending on location and specific nerve affected. I think that they want you to see a neurologist to evaluate your childs neurologic function and see if they see and evidence of neurofibromatosis. Some patients with NFI will have schwannomas associated. This is an autosomal dominant disorder and often presents with many brown patches on the skin and also neurofibromas which are tumors similar to schwannomas on the skin. This disorder has other physical findings associated and it will require a careful examination of your child and the neurologist will probably also like to examine the skin of both parents. At this point there is not Tx for NFI in terms of medication, however, genetic couselling is required. Most patients with the disorder live normal lives. It is possible that this case represents only an isolated schwannoma. We wish you the best and hope this helps.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes. Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.










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