What causes Schwannoma

[Leofwen]

Hi all

I have been researching schwannomas as I wanted to find out why I have one. I have read several articles which say that they are caused by potential exposure to radiation. Has anyone else been told this and if so what type of radiation ( too many x rays, radio isotopes, radon ?)

I know about the Neurofibramotosis links and that has been ruled out for me.

I guess like everyone else I am searching for answers

S

[lw]

I posed this question to my neurosurgeon when I was first diagnosed. He said the cause of SCTs is unknown, barring cases involving genetic diseases (which I took to mean NF). He also added that women were more likely to be affected and has subsequently mentioned a link with MS. I've since read about this and apparently one or more spinal tumour can be a sign of the condition. Ironically, before my diagnosis, I was absolutely convinced I had MS and I am guessing that is the reason this was only mentioned to me post op.

From a purely personal point of view I believe it is down to either bad genes and/or bad luck. Obviously there are a few medical conditions (such as lung cancer) where you can pinpoint a direct causal link, but most appear to occur through no reason. In other words, nature sucks. I try not to ponder on the 'whys' and 'what ifs' because it would drive me insane.

[Kt]

I have been diagnosed with a benign vagus nerve sheath schwannoma. I am 32 and have elected to have surgery. I am using Dr. Netterville who resides at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, he is an otolaryngologist who has lots of experience with these types of tumors and has an excellent results. He is used by country music singers in the area. Since the vagus nerve is part of the sympathetic nervous system, involved with the fight or flight response one could correlate stress to such a schwannoma. While this has not been scientifically proven, stress is linked to all major causes of death, and it makes me wonder if there is a possible link.

[samuridude]

Mar 9, 2014 19:57:08 GMT -6 Kt said:

I have been diagnosed with a benign vagus nerve sheath schwannoma. I am 32 and have elected to have surgery. I am using Dr. Netterville who resides at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, he is an otolaryngologist who has lots of experience with these types of tumors and has an excellent results. He is used by country music singers in the area. Since the vagus nerve is part of the sympathetic nervous system, involved with the fight or flight response one could correlate stress to such a schwannoma. While this has not been scientifically proven, stress is linked to all major causes of death, and it makes me wonder if there is a possible link.

That tumor may have started to grow faster because of stress, but it's more about genetics. I've read a article that attributed it too much dental radiation at a young age. Who knows?

[South Africa Pieter]

Mine was as a result of radiation therapy when I was 22 year old and had a seminoma removed. Now 25 years later a Schwannoma on L5 has developed. On the exact area I had radiation at the time.