| schwannoma | <tumour> A benign, encapsulated neoplasm in which the fundamental component is structurally identical to a syncytium of Schwann cells; the neoplastic cells proliferate within the endoneurium, and the perineurium forms the capsule. The neoplasm may originate from a peripheral or sympathetic nerve, or from various cranial nerves, particularly the eighth nerve; when the nerve is small, it is usually found (if at all) in the capsule of the neoplasm; if the nerve is large, the neurilemoma may develop within the sheath of the nerve, the fibres of which may then spread over the surface of the capsule as the neoplasm enlarges. Microscopically, neurilemoma's are composed of combinations of two cell types, Antoni types A and B (see below), either of which may be predominant in various examples of neurilemoma's. See: neurofibroma. Synonym: neurilemoma, neuroschwannoma. Origin: Theodor Schwann + -oma (05 Mar 2000) |
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| schwannoma derived growth factor | <growth factor> A growth factor containing an EGF like domain, mitogenic for astrocytes, Schwann cells and fibroblasts. (18 Nov 1997) |
| acoustic schwannoma | <tumour> A benign neoplasm of the intracranial segment of the eighth cranial nerve, producing cerebellar, lower cranial nerve, and brainstem signs and symptoms. Synonym: acoustic neuroma, cerebellopontine angle tumour, eighth nerve tumour. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| vestibular schwannoma | <oncology, tumour> This is a benign tumour of the 8th cranial nerve that affects approximately 1 out of 100,000 people. This tumour arises from the myelin forming Schwann cells that coat the 8th cranial nerve (acoustic nerve). Clinical presentation usually includes hearing deficit. Diagnosis can be made with auditory evoked potentials and/or MRI scanning of the brain. Vertigo and tinnitus may be associated symptoms. Surgical removal of this tumour involves dissection, cautery and obliteration with laser. (27 Sep 1997) |