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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes A Schwannoma Tumor?

I saw ENT surgeon Oct.13.I have schwannoma tumor. Because of severe leftt facial droop, and severe loss of hearing in left ear, he thinks it is malignant.He has ordered another MRI, but said he may have to go into cranium to observe. If they cant remove tumor completely fron nerve bundle, can they completely remove cancer. Will I need chemo? He said radiology not effective at this stage.
posted on Fri, 21 Oct 2016
Twitter Tue, 27 Dec 2016 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 29 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Schwannoma are slow growing intracranial tumors arising from nerve sheath made for insulation of brain electrical activity. It is mostly benign but locally invasive i.e can destruct local structures. Rarely it may be malignant, which usually we call it a cancer, which need a detailed imaging and histopathological study for confirmation.
Your doctor is right regarding the treatment of choice which is surgery in most of the problematic cases as radiotherapy is not effective.
Apart from MRI a neurological test BERA will help in assessing the auditory nerve function.
A small benign tumour with is dealt with hearing preservating surgery.
Now a days stereotactic radiosurgery by gamma knife/ cyber knife is also being done successfully with less morbidity.
If it is seen to be malignant, then combination chemotherapy might be helpful.
Hope the best treatment outcome.
With regards,
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What Causes A Schwannoma Tumor?

Schwannoma are slow growing intracranial tumors arising from nerve sheath made for insulation of brain electrical activity. It is mostly benign but locally invasive i.e can destruct local structures. Rarely it may be malignant, which usually we call it a cancer, which need a detailed imaging and histopathological study for confirmation. Your doctor is right regarding the treatment of choice which is surgery in most of the problematic cases as radiotherapy is not effective. Apart from MRI a neurological test BERA will help in assessing the auditory nerve function. A small benign tumour with is dealt with hearing preservating surgery. Now a days stereotactic radiosurgery by gamma knife/ cyber knife is also being done successfully with less morbidity. If it is seen to be malignant, then combination chemotherapy might be helpful. Hope the best treatment outcome. With regards,