Peripheral Nerve Tumors

Peripheral nerve tumors are growths that form in or near nerves. Nerves are strands of tissue that transmit signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Peripheral nerves control muscles that allow you to walk, blink, swallow, pick things up and do other activities.

Peripheral nerve tumors can occur anywhere in the body. Most of them are benign, meaning they’re not cancerous. But they can lead to pain, nerve damage and loss of function in the affected area.

Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor. When the tumor can’t be removed without damaging nearby healthy tissue and nerves, other treatments may be considered.

There are several types of peripheral nerve tumors. Intraneural tumors grow within nerves. Extraneural tumors press against nerves.