Patients with tumors that affect nerves close to the surface will likely discover a mass sooner than those with a tumor affecting a more deep-seated nerve. The most common symptoms of schwannoma include:
- Painless or painful mass that is slow-growing
- Electric-like shock, called Tinel shock, when the affected area is touched
Neurological problems usually don’t occur unless the tumor involves a major motor or sensory nerve, is located adjacent to the spinal cord, or if the nerve is compressed between the tumor and a rigid structure in the body. Schwannomas that are located on the vestibular nerve (hearing nerve) may cause hearing loss and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, schwannomas are diagnosed by:
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Biopsy to confirm the diagnosis
After all tests are completed, doctors will be able to outline the best treatment options.
Neurosurgery to remove the tumor from the nerve is the treatment of choice for schwannoma. This rarely disturbs the nerve’s function. Review of family history and other diagnostic criteria for neurofibromatosis type 2 is important for children diagnosed with schwannoma.
Radiation therapy may be used following surgery to kill any remaining tumor cells.
Schwannoma very rarely recurs.
Schwannoma is curable and should not recur. If a tumor does come back in
the same place, it usually means that it was not completely removed.