Recurrent Schwannoma: Management Strategies for Tumor Recurrence

A schwannoma is a rare type of tumor that forms in the body’s nervous system and grows from Schwann cells. Schwannoma tumors are often benign and slow growing, which means that they are not cancerous. But, in some cases, they may become cancerous.

Schwann cells assist the conduction of nerve impulses. They wrap around peripheral nerves and provide protection and support. The body’s peripheral nervous system includes nerves that travel from your spinal cord and brain to carry signals to and from the rest of your body. Schwannomas can often appear in nerves that enable sensations and motion within the arms, legs, face and eyes or skin.

Are Schwannomas common? Where is the most common location for schwannoma?

Schwannomas are rare, affecting fewer than 200,000 people each year in the United States. They most often occur on the spinal nerves, peripheral nerves (in the extremities) but can also occur in the cranial nerves inside the skull.

What are Treatment and Management options for schwannomas?

Treatment for schwannoma depends on where the tumor is located and how quickly it is growing. Your physician will recommend an individual treatment plan that may include the following:

• Monitoring and Observation. Observation may include regular checkup and a CT or MRI scan every few months to determine if the tumor is increasing in size. If the tumor is not growing quickly, and does not interfere with your quality of life, observation may be the best course of action.
• Surgery. If the tumor is causing pain or growing quickly, an experienced surgeon can remove the tumor. Depending on the location of the tumor, patients may be able to go home the same day as surgery, while others may need to remain in the hospital for a few days.
• Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy is used to help control the tumor’s growth and improve corresponding symptoms. This process may also be used in combination with a surgical approach to care.
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery. If the tumor is near vital nerves or blood vessels, a technique known as stereotactic radiation therapy may be used to limit damage of healthy tissue. This process allows a physician to precisely target a tumor without requiring any incisions.

Will a Schwannoma Require Surgery

Because schwannomas vary so much depending on their location, you will want to discuss schwannoma treatment options with your physician.

Your treatment plan will also depend on whether your schwannoma is malignant. Again, the vast majority of schwannomas are non-cancerous, and a biopsy can confirm your specific diagnosis. Schwannomas are only malignant in about 5% of cases, at which point they become known as soft tissue sarcomas or malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

It may be possible that your tumor is both benign and slow growing enough that surgery and other treatments aren’t required. In that case, your doctor may just want to monitor your schwannoma and check its size with imaging tests at regular intervals.

What is the recurrence rate of spinal schwannoma? How often do schwannomas grow back? 

Schwannomas have a relatively low recurrence rate, but this can vary depending on the type of initial treatment and tumor location. Research has shown that recurrence of spinal schwannomas is reported in less than 5% of surgical patients, with recurrence typically occurring several years after the initial surgical resection.

Schwannoma Treatment in New Jersey

If you are seeking treatment for a schwannoma, or would like an expert second opinion on your condition, the compassionate physicians and neurosurgeons of New Jersey Brain and Spine have decades of experience providing innovative approaches and personalized care for patients.

We are able to specifically tailor your schwannoma treatment plan based on your individual condition and goals. For more information, contact us today.