DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2021.v09i10.008

Pages: 955-957

Malignant schwannomas are rare types of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors composed of neoplastic Schwann cells. Many are discovered incidentally as solitary tumors. The cause is unknown. Most develop independently, although some are associated with genetic disorders such as neurofibromatosis type 2 or schwannomatosis. Schwannomas can emerge in any part of the body. They affect all age groups, with a peak occurrence between 25 and 40, without predilection to sex or race. Many are asymptomatic; nevertheless, symptoms such as paresthesia and pain are induced by mass effect and direct nerve invasion. A thorough physical examination, imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, and surgical biopsy are used to make a diagnosis. Treatment is affected by several parameters, such as the location of the tumor and the severity of the symptoms. Asymptomatic patients are treated conservatively, whereas those who are symptomatic undergo surgical resection with a favorable prognosis.