A schwannoma tumor is a rare, slow-growing tumor that originates in Schwann cells, which form the protective myelin sheath around your nerves. Symptoms of schwannoma tumors depend on their size and location.
Although most are noncancerous (benign), in rare cases, schwannoma tumors can be cancerous (malignant).
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A schwannoma tumor is a rare, slow-growing tumor that originates in Schwann cells, which form the protective myelin sheath around your nerves.
This sheath insulates nerves and enables the transmission of nerve signals throughout your body.
Most schwannomas are benign, with only about 2.5 percent becoming malignant. However, as they grow, they may compress nerves and cause various symptoms.
Schwannomas can develop anywhere in the body, but are most commonly found in areas including:
Most schwannomas occur sporadically, without a known cause. However, about 10 percent of cases are linked to genetic conditions including:
People with NF2 or schwannomatosis are more likely to develop multiple schwannomas. Schwannoma tumors are more likely to occur in people due to:
The severity of complications from a schwannoma tumor depend on the tumor's size and location. Some complications may improve after the tumor has been removed, while others may require further medical intervention.
Potential complications include:
Symptoms of a schwannoma tumor depend on its location and size. Some benign schwannomas may not cause any symptoms.
Common schwannoma symptoms include:
Because schwannoma tumors grow slowly, they may remain undiagnosed for years. On average, a diagnosis is made about five years after symptoms appear.
If your doctor suspects a schwannoma tumor, they will conduct a thorough physical examination, testing your reflexes, muscle strength, and skin sensations.
Your doctor may also order tests, including:
Treatment for a schwannoma tumor depends on the size, location, and whether it is causing symptoms.
If your tumor is benign, slow-growing, and is not causing symptoms, your doctor may recommend regular monitoring without immediate treatment.
Most schwannomas can be removed through minimally invasive microsurgery, which uses a high-powered microscope. Your surgeon may also use ultrasound to help detect schwannomas under your skin before surgery. Larger tumors may require more extensive surgery.
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an option for spinal schwannomas. This noninvasive technique uses precisely targeted radiation beams to shrink the tumor while sparing healthy tissue. Because SRS does not require incisions, it has no recovery time.
If a schwannoma is malignant or in a location where complete surgical removal is difficult, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be used to slow tumor growth and prevent recurrence.
After treatment, your doctor may recommend routine MRIs to check for any tumor regrowth.
Your prognosis depends on factors such as tumor location, malignancy, and the success of surgical removal. If a benign schwannoma is completely removed, most people recover fully and experience no recurrence.
However, some people may have long-term side effects, such as muscle weakness or permanent hearing loss, particularly if the tumor was in the inner ear.
Although surgery and radiation are effective at treating schwannomas, they do not prevent the development of future tumors, especially in individuals with genetic conditions.
When you choose UPMC for schwannoma care, you have access to a team of specialists with advanced training and expertise in all types of tumor treatment. As a high-volume surgery center, we have the experience, technology, and facilities required to provide expert care for patients with any type of tumor — from common to complex.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-05-16.
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