Peripheral Nerve Tumours

Peripheral nerve tumours are growths in or near the nerves that transmit signals from your brain to the rest of your body. These nerves control your muscles, allowing you to walk, blink, swallow, pick up things, and do other activities.

Peripheral nerve tumours can occur anywhere in the body. Most of them are not cancerous (malignant), but they can cause pain, nerve damage and loss of function in the affected area.

Black and white photo of Dr Ganesh Shiva in surgical attire, standing in an operating theatre before performing a peripheral nerve tumour biopsy

Symptoms of peripheral nerve tumours vary depending on the location of the tumours and which tissues are affected. They include:

  • Swelling or a lump under your skin
  • Pain, tingling or numbness
  • Weakness or loss of function in the affected area
  • Dizziness or loss of balance

It is not clear why most peripheral nerve tumours develop. Some are linked to inherited syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis (types 1 and 2) and schwannomatosis. Tumours develop on or near the nerves throughout the body in these disorders. These tumours are usually noncancerous.

Other cases may be caused by a malfunctioning gene, injury or surgery.

To diagnose a peripheral nerve tumour, Dr Shiva may ask you about signs and symptoms, discuss your medical history, and perform a general physical and neurological exam. They may also order several tests to help pinpoint the cause of your signs and symptoms, including:

  • MRI to produce a detailed, 3D view of your nerves and surrounding tissue.
  • A CT scan to provide a clear view of your peripheral nerve tumour
  • Electromyogram (EMG). For this test, Dr Shiva places small needles in your muscles so an electromyography instrument can record the electrical activity in your muscle as you try to move it.
  • Nerve conduction study to measure how quickly your nerves carry electrical signals to your muscles.
  • If imaging tests identify a nerve tumour, Dr Shiva may remove and analyse a small sample of cells (biopsy) from your tumour. Depending on the size and location of the tumour, you may need local or general anesthesia during the biopsy. Sometimes this is the only way to determine whether a tumour is cancerous.
  • Dr Shiva may take a nerve biopsy if you have a condition such as progressive peripheral neuropathy or enlarged nerves resembling nerve tumours.

Peripheral nerve tumour treatment depends on the type of tumour, what nerves and other tissues it affects, and your symptoms. Treatment options for peripheral nerve tumours include:

  • Monitoring to see if the tumour grows may be an option if it is in a place that makes removal difficult or if the tumour is small, slow growing, and causes few symptoms. This will involve regular checkups, and CT or MRI scans every few months to monitor tumour growth. 
  • You may need surgery to remove a peripheral nerve tumour. Surgery aims to remove the entire tumour without damaging nearby healthy tissue and nerves. When that is not possible, surgeons remove as much of the tumour as possible.
  • Malignant (cancerous) tumours are treated with cancer therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Early diagnosis and treatment are the most important factors resulting in a good outcome.

Postoperative care

  • Keep the wound dry for five days. Then dressings can be removed
  • Monitor for any wound redness, discharge, fevers
  • Six-week review with Dr Shiva

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Please complete the information below, and we will contact you to confirm your appointment.

  • Please complete the information below, and we will contact you to confirm a date and time for your appointment.

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