Schwannoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Schwannoma?
A neurosurgeon, a surgeon who operates on the brain, spine, and nerves, often treats a schwannoma. A pathologist, a doctor who studies tissue samples under a microscope, helps confirm what kind of tumor it is. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a schwannoma?
A schwannoma is a rare type of tumor that forms in the nervous system. It grows from Schwann cells, which protect and support the nerve cells of the nervous system. These tumors are often benign, which means they are not cancer. In rare cases, they can become cancer. A schwannoma grows slowly.
It is the most common type of peripheral nerve tumor in adults, which is a tumor of the nerves. It can occur in people of all ages. It is a rare disease, which means it affects fewer than 200,000 people.
Symptoms
Some people with a schwannoma have symptoms, but others do not. Symptoms may differ depending on where the tumor is in the body. Symptoms can include:
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- Dizziness and balance problems
- Pain
- Facial paralysis, which means the face muscles cannot move
- Trouble swallowing or trouble moving the eye
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness
- A lump or bump that can be seen or felt
Causes and who gets it
A schwannoma forms when Schwann cells grow and divide more than normal. Most people who get one are otherwise healthy, and the cause is unknown. A schwannoma rarely runs in families. Some genetic conditions can raise the risk, such as neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), schwannomatosis, and Carney complex. People with these genetic disorders usually have more than one schwannoma.
How doctors diagnose it
If you have symptoms, your doctor will use scans such as CT and MRI to see where the tumor is in the body and how big it is. Doctors also check if the tumor has spread to other parts of the body. This can happen in rare cases. Your doctor may also do a biopsy, which means taking a small sample from the tumor with a needle. A pathologist then studies the cells to see what kind of tumor it is.
Treatment
Treatment depends on where the tumor is in the body and how quickly it is growing. Here are the main choices:
- Watch and wait: if the tumor grows very slowly, it may be safest for your doctor to check it often without treating it.
- Surgery: if the tumor is growing more quickly or causing other problems, doctors may remove it with surgery.
- Radiation therapy: it may be used with surgery. It is aimed at the area where the tumor was removed, to prevent regrowth.
If the entire tumor is removed by surgery, it is not likely to grow back. Depending on where the tumor is, people may have long term muscle weakness or hearing loss.
When to see a doctor
Talk with a doctor if you notice a lump or bump, pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. These are also reasons to get checked: hearing loss, ringing in the ears, dizziness, balance problems, facial paralysis, or trouble swallowing. Some people with a schwannoma have no symptoms at all. To learn how the tumor may affect you over time, talk to your doctor.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can do a first check and refer you to a specialist, such as a neurosurgeon.
Common questions
Is a schwannoma cancer?
Usually not, because schwannoma tumors are often benign, which means they are not cancer. In rare cases, they can become cancer.
Does a schwannoma always need treatment?
No, not always. If the tumor is growing very slowly, it may be safest for your doctor to check it often without treating it. If it grows more quickly or causes other problems, doctors may remove it with surgery.
Can a schwannoma grow back after surgery?
It is not likely if the entire tumor is removed by surgery. Radiation therapy may also be used with surgery to prevent it from growing back.
Does a schwannoma run in families?
A schwannoma rarely runs in families. Some genetic conditions that run in families can raise the risk, such as neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), schwannomatosis, and Carney complex.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute - Schwannoma
- NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center - Schwannoma
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
