schwannoma
| ICD-O: | 9560/0 |
|---|---|
| DiseasesDB | 33713 |
| MeSH | D009442 |
A schwannoma is a kind of tumor originating from the Schwann cells. The insulating myelin sheath which covers peripheral nerves is produced by the Schwann cells. Hence, one kind of tumor originating from the Schwann cells is called a schwannoma.
Schwannomas are very homogenous tumors consisting only of Schwann cells. The tumor cells always stay on the outside of the nerve, but the tumor itself may either push the nerve aside and/or up against a bony structure (thereby possibly causing damage). Schwannomas are relatively slow growing. For reasons not yet understood, schwannomas are mostly benign and less than 1% become malignant (degenerate into cancer).
Schwannomas can arise from a genetic disorder called schwannomatosis.
See also
| Nervous tissue tumors (ICD-O 9350-9589) | |
|---|---|
| Miscellaneous tumors (9350-9370) | Craniopharyngioma - Pinealoma |
| Glioma (9380-9480) | Gliomatosis cerebri - Oligoastrocytoma - Ependymoma - Astrocytoma (Pilocytic astrocytoma, Glioblastoma multiforme) - Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour - Oligodendroglioma - Medulloblastoma - Primitive neuroectodermal tumor |
| Neuroepitheliomatous (9490-9520) | Ganglioneuroma - Neuroblastoma - Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor - Retinoblastoma |
| Meningiomas (9530) | Meningioma |
| Nerve sheath tumor (9540-9570) | Neurofibroma (Neurofibrosarcoma, Neurofibromatosis) - Schwannoma - Neurinoma - Acoustic neuroma - Neuroma |
| see also brain tumors (though not all brain tumors are of nervous tissue) | |
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