Normal cells grow, divide, and die in a well-controlled manner. The term “tumor” describes abnormal cellular growth, division, or delayed cell death. These abnormal cells may be benign, meaning they grow abnormally but do not spread or affect other tissues. The most common benign nerve tumors are Schwannomas and Neurofibromas. Alternatively, these abnormal cells may be malignant, meaning they may spread or invade neighboring tissues. The most common malignant nerve tumor is a Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor.
Overall, nerve tumors are rare. Many of these tumors do not cause symptoms until they have grown relatively large. Symptoms may include numbness or tingling in a specific nerve distribution, weakness, and/or pain. Diagnosis of a nerve tumor can be made by history, physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or tissue biopsy.