What is Benign Peripheral Nerve Tumor
Benign peripheral nerve tumor is an abnormal mass of cells. The mass forms in or near the peripheral nerves, which connect your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. This type of tumor is not cancerous.
There are several types of benign peripheral nerve tumors. They include:
- Schwannoma (common). This type can appear in any part of the body.
- Neurofibroma. This type can appear in any part of the body. It may be associated with a genetic condition.
- Acoustic neuroma. This type forms on the nerve that connects the brain to the inner ear.
- Perineurioma (rare). This type can form anywhere in the body.
- Ganglioneuroma (rare). This type forms in nerve cells in the chest or abdomen.
- Granular Cell Tumor (rare). This type usually develops under the skin in areas of prior trauma.
Some tumors can become cancerous (malignant) over time.
What are the causes?
In most cases, the cause of this condition is not known. In some cases, the condition is caused by a genetic disease.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to develop in people who have a family history of nerve tumors, like neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2 and schwannomatosis.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Common symptoms of this condition include:
- Pain.
- Numbness.
- Tingling.
- Weakness.
- Dizziness.
- Losing your balance.
- Lump or bump under the skin.
- Hearing Loss.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed with:
- A physical exam.
- Imaging
tests, such as:
- A CT scan.
- An MRI.
- An electromyogram (EMG). This is a test to check the electrical activity of your muscles.
- A nerve conduction study. This test may be done along with the EMG to test how quickly your nerves send electrical signals to the muscles.
- A nerve or tumor biopsy. This is a procedure to take a small piece of tissue and examine it under a microscope.
How is this treated?
Treatment for this condition includes:
- Monitoring the tumor.
- Surgery to remove the tumor.
- Medicine to help with pain.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Do notdrive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
- To
prevent or treat constipation while you are taking prescription pain
medicine, your health care provider may recommend that you:
- Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
- Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
- Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
- Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried and sweet foods.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your pain medicine is not working.
- Your symptoms get worse.
- You have a fever.
- A lump or bump under your skin changes in size or color
Summary
- A benign peripheral nerve tumor is an abnormal mass of cells. The mass forms in or near the peripheral nerves, which connect your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body.
- There are several different types of benign peripheral nerve tumors.
- In most cases, the cause of this condition is not known. In some cases, the condition is caused by a genetic disease.
- Treatment may including monitoring the tumor, surgery to remove the tumor, and medicines to help with pain.
