What is a malignant schwannoma?
Schwann cells are cells in the nervous system that produce myelin shells covering peripheral nerves. Schwannoma is a tumor composed of Schwann cells that ovrates around the neuron. Malignant schwannom or malignant peripheral nerve tumor is a cancer type of schwannoma. Schwannoms consist only of Schwann cells and grow relatively slowly. Although Schwannomas always develop out of nerves, they can exert pressure on the nerve or the surrounding tissue.
Schwann cells are glial cells, one of the cell types that make up the nervous system. Gli cells are supportive cells that help keep neurons in operation. Schwann cells were wrapped around neurons to form a greasy myelin cloak that insulates neurons and accelerates their signaling. They are also involved in the development and regeneration of nerves.
Malignant Schwannom is a type of sarcoma soft tissues. It often affects the seating nerve, the nerve that starts in the lower back and flows through the legs. These tumors can also be found on brachial plechXU or nerves at the top of the arm and sacral plexus, a bundle of nerves at the lower back. The most common type of schwannoma is called an acoustic neuroma because it grows on the eighth skull nerve that controls hearing. Acoustic neuroma can cause deafness.
Most schwannomas are benign and only about 1 % become malignant. Malignant Schwannom develops in a form of cancer called neurofibrosarcoma. However, this form of cancer is dangerous, but is often not fatal. A study in Massachusets General Hospital found 85 % survival in patients with malignant Schwannom.
About half of all cases of malignant schwannoma occur in people with neurofibromatosis, a genetic state that affects nerve cells. The severity of neurofibomatosis may vary from man to man. Tumors that grow as a result of this condition can be either benign or malignant. However, even benign tumors may be a problemIic because they can compress nerves and tissues.
Malignant Schwannom is usually treated with a surgery to completely remove the tumor. However, this operation is not always effective and the tumor can grow back. Radiotherapy, technique where high energy waves are focused on a tumor, can help prevent malignant tumor from growth. It can also be used to slow down or even reduce the growth of cancer tumors. Chemotherapy is another treatment, but is not so commonly used for soft tissue sarcomas as malignant schwannomas.