Peripheral Nerve Tumors

The masses that occurs on or near the network of nerves (peripheral nerves) that link the spinal cord and the brain to the other parts of the body is called peripheral nerve tumors and they occur anywhere in our body that might lead to affecting the function of the peripheral nerves.

There are two types of peripheral nerve tumors such as noncancerous or benign peripheral nerve tumors and cancerous or malignant peripheral nerve tumors, but most commonly benign.

You are at risk or more likely to develop peripheral nerve tumors if you have neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis.

Signs and symptoms of peripheral nerve tumors may vary and some does not any have symptoms.

Possible symptoms are:

• Pain;
• numbness or burning or pins and needles;
• a mass or thickening in the muscle fibers;
• dizziness;
• loss of balance;
• weakness in the affected muscles.

Though the cause or peripheral nerve tumor is unknown, some are hereditary.

Signs and symptoms of peripheral nerve tumors are often caused by direct invasion, involvement of surrounding tissues and mass effect.

Consult your doctor if you are feeling the symptoms of peripheral nerve tumors, he may refer you to a neurologist that specializes in nerve disorders to receive a diagnosis.

He may ask you about your symptoms and how often do you have them. You can tell him your medical history and if anyone in your family have been diagnosed with this. Give him the complete list of your medication, supplements and vitamins that you are taking.

He will likely conduct a physical exam and imaging tests such as:

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan,
• Electromyography (EMG) to examine electrical pathways
• and MRI Neurography to check directly at the nerves.

Some of the treatments for peripheral nerve tumors include:

Nonsurgical treatments

Some people uses non-operative as a treatment because the tumors are often slow growing and might remain asymptomatic for a long period of time, there will be a series of examinations and imaging studies that might help if the person needs surgery. If it is malignant nerve sheath tumor it needs to be surgically removed because of its aggressiveness.

Since it is believed that peripheral nerve tumors are hereditary, there is no way of preventing it.

You can only manage the symptoms by taking prescription drugs for the pain as well as for the other symptoms.

Some of the homeopathic remedies for peripheral nerve tumors are:

• Anacardium,
• Phosphorus,
• Silicea,
• Zincum Phos,
• Rhus tox,
• Graphites,
• and Pulsatilla.

These remedies should be taken with a professional advice.

Some of these lifestyle changes may help you in managing the symptoms of peripheral nerve tumors such as:

• exercising regularly to reduce the pain and improve muscle strength like swimming and walking;
• avoid alcohol so that your symptoms will not worsen;
• eat a healthy diet such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish;
• maintain your weight;
• manage your diabetes to reduce the symptoms, and drink plenty of fluids.

Some of the complications of peripheral nerve tumor include:

• damaged of blood vessels,
• vital nerves,
• side effects from chemotherapy and radiation therapy,
• recurrence of a tumor.