A schwannoma is a benign (non-cancerous), soft-tissue mass that presents on the outer, protective layer of a nerve, called the epineurium. To treat, a schwannoma can be marginally excised, meaning only the schwannoma is surgically removed, to spare or protect the nerve from excision.
Schwannoma is a benign (non-cancerous) soft-tissue mass that forms on the outer, protective layer of a nerve, called the epineurium. They commonly occur in the peripheral nerves of the head, neck, upper extremities, and lower extremities. They may present as a painful or painless slow-growing mass. It is often difficult to distinguish a schwannoma with its cancerous counterpart, the malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, so a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Schwannoma is a non-cancerous, soft-tissue mass that presents on the outer, protective layer of a nerve, called the epineurium. Some potential risks of these tumors include nerve damage, especially if the tumor is compressed, stretched, or wrapped around an important nerve or vessel. Schwannomas are not malignant, and therefore cannot metastasize or spread to other parts of the body.
Radiographic imaging is used to help form a diagnosis. These include X-Ray, MRI, CT and Bone Scans.
An example of an MRI is shown.
The treatment of a schwannoma includes limb-sparing surgery, in which the tumor is completely excised (removed) with the nerve spared whenever possible. With surgical removal, recurrence is rare.
Surgical treatment includes wide or radical resections to remove the complete tumor and additional margins. The removal of additional, surrounding margins ensures that the tumor is completely removed and decreases the chances of the tumor coming back.
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Myself and my amazing team are dedicated to saving your life and your limb. Losing a limb because of a tumor can be a terrifying experience. But, it does not have to be the only option. I’ve spent 20+ years as a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Orthopedic Oncologist.
I’ve devoted my career to helping children and adults afflicted with bone and soft tissue masses by performing complex limb saving surgeries. Most patients can have their limb saved, which may require innovative techniques.
Patients afflicted with musculoskeletal tumors have complex conditions that are best taken care of at large hospitals. I am the Chairman of Orthopedics and Chief of Orthopedic Oncology at Morristown Medical Center. My philosophy is a multidisciplinary team approach, working together to tailor treatment to individual patients. Education and research are essential to my practice, providing the best setting for extraordinary patient care. Because of this, we have some of the top results in the country.
