Gastrointestinal tract schwannomas and brief review of literature

Abstract

Schwannomas originating from Schwann cells arise from the peripheral nerve sheath and are slow-growing, benign tumors that originate mostly from the mesenchyme. It appears equally in both sexes. Schwannomas are often seen in the 3rd and 5th decades of life. Schwannomas can be seen everywhere where peripheral nerves are seen. Gastrointestinal schwannomas constitute 2-6% of all submucosal masses, and the stomach is the most common region (60-70%). Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-guided sampling of gastrointestinal submucosal lesions has made it possible to achieve preop- erative differential diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal schwannomas between January 2005 and December 2017 were included in this study. Three out of six patients were females. Median age was 52.5 (44-76) years. Schwannomas were found in two patients in the gastric region, one patient in the appendiceal region, two patients in the colon and one patient in the perianal region. Primary schwannomas are usually benign. Radical resection with free margin is necessary because of the risk of malignant degeneration; chemo and radiotherapy response is indeterminate, and local recurrence rates are high.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal schwannomas; gastrointestinal submucosal mass; immunohistochemistry.