Schwannoma
What is a schwannoma brain tumour?
What is the best treatment for schwannoma brain tumours?
Frequently asked questions
What causes a schwannoma brain tumour?
Most schwannomas occur spontaneously. The cause of a schwannoma brain tumour is, in the majority of cases, the development of fault in a gene called NF2 (which is a gene on chromosome 22 in our DNA).
The NF2 gene provides instructions for the body to make a protein called “merlin”. This protein is also known as schwannomin because it is produced in schwann cells within the nervous system.
The merlin protein acts as a tumour suppressor. In other words, it prevents cells from growing and dividing in an uncontrolled way. When it fails to carry out this function, tumours form from the schwann cells that surround the nerves. Researchers also suspect that merlin helps to control cell movement, cell shape and communication between cells.
The NF2 fault can lead to the genetic disease called neurofibromatosis 2. Anyone diagnosed with any form of neurofibromatosis would be transferred to a specialist team to ensure that patients are cared for by clinical experts in treating this condition.
Schwannomatosis is another genetic disease that can lead to a schwannoma brain tumour. Schwannomatosis tends to be diagnosed in early adulthood. It can be preceded by chronic pain, sometimes in areas where there are no tumours, due to the fact that pain signals originating from nerves where tumours are causing pressure can sometimes be felt at distant sites within the body.
Are there different types of schwannoma?
Schwannoma brain tumours can be given a different name that describes where it is located.
For example, a schwannoma wrapped around the vestibulocochlear nerve in the inner ear – responsible for balance and hearing – would be called an acoustic neuroma and could also be known as a vestibular schwannoma.
Schwannomas may also be referred to as neurilemoma, neurilemmoma, neurolemmoma, or peripheral fibroblastoma.
What is the best treatment for schwannoma brain tumours?
How will we find a cure for schwannoma?
Research taking place at three of our Centres of Excellence will help lead towards finding a cure for schwannoma.
Our Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence in the University of Plymouth is Europe’s leading research institution for low-grade brain tumours, and has a strong focus on schwannoma. They have developed an all-human cell model of schwannoma, developed from tissue samples donated by patients who have undergone surgery. This model is being used in laboratory experiments designed to learn more about the causes and behaviour of schwannoma brain tumours, and ultimately to find a cure by developing targeted drug therapies.