Peripheral nerve tumors

Diagnosis

A specialist may inquire about the signs and symptoms, go through the patient’s medical history, and conduct both a neurological exam and a general examination in order to properly diagnose the peripheral nerve tumor. To help identify the source of the signs and symptoms, specialist will request a number of tests.

• Imaging tests: used to determine the extent of the tumor. Imaging test includes:
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan that creates a thorough, 3-D image of your nerves and surrounding tissue using magnetic and radio waves.
  • Computerized tomography (CT) with series of images are captured. The specialist can assess how the peripheral nerve tumor may be affecting patients by creating a thorough view of it using the images on a computer.
• Electromyogram (EMG): Specialist will insert a tiny needle into the muscle for this test in order to record the electrical activity that occurs in the muscle while the patient tries to move it using an electromyography device.
• Nerve conduction study: It measures the speed at which electrical signals leave the neurons and reach your muscles. This test will be conducted along with EMG.
• Tumor biopsy: To properly obtain a cell sample for examination, a specialist may advise a needle biopsy operation, such as fine-needle aspiration or core needle biopsy. Patient might require local or general anesthesia for the biopsy, depending on the size and location of the tumor.
• Nerve biopsy: Specialist may perform a nerve biopsy if the patient has a condition like increasing peripheral neuropathy or swollen nerves that resemble nerve tumors.

Treatment

Treatment will be determined by the type of peripheral nerve tumor that affects the tissues and nerves, as well as the underlying symptoms. Treatment options for peripheral nerve tumors includes:

• Monitoring: close monitoring of the growth of the tumor if the tumor is small and slowly growing. Regular consultation will be advised together with imaging test (CT or MRI) for assessment of the size of the tumor.
• Surgery: complete surgical excision of the tumor without causing any damage to the surrounding nerves or healthy tissues. If the tumor cannot be totally removed, surgeons will remove the tumor as much as possible. Surgery may result in nerve damage depending on the
  position and size of the tumor. Inaccessible tumors can now be reached by specialists using the newest technologies. It is simpler to differentiate a tumor from healthy tissue when using the powerful microscopes used in microsurgery. However, risk can be determined by the tumor’s size, location, and surgical technique. There is a possibility that some of the tumor will reoccur.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery: this treatment, which delivers radiation specifically to the tumor without any incisions and may be recommended by the specialists to treat some peripheral nerve tumors in or near the brain. Radiosurgery has risks such as weakness or numbness in the area being treated. Radiation will unlikely cause a development of another cancer at the part of the body that received radiation.
• Standard cancer therapy: Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are all common cancer treatments for malignant tumors. However, there is a possibility that the tumor will return even after treatment.
• Rehabilitation: in order for the patient to effectively regain the mobility and functioning of the damaged nerves, physical and occupational therapists will support the patient in recovering after surgery. In some instances, the arm or leg need to be in a position that promotes healing, so the specialist may use a brace or splint.