This brain tumor,
schwannoma is formed from the myelin forming cells, Schwann cells, of the eighth
cranial nerve at the point where the peripheral part of the nerve meets the brain
part of nerve called Hensen's node. Usually Hensen's node is located in the inner
ear canal, which directs to our hearing apparatus called the acoustic meatus.
In fact, this nerve
is three nerves in one - 2 vestibular nerves and the hearing nerve. Directly
connected with these nerves is the seventh cranial nerve, in which it controls
the muscles of the face, salivation, tearing and taste. This tumor grows just
beside the brain stem. When it becomes bigger and bigger, it may actually compress
the brain stem. Bigger tumors may also involve the swallowing nerves down below,
also the fifth nerve above, which is in charge of the sensations to the eye and
face.
This means that
it is a very closely packed and difficult area for involvement. Patients with
schwannoma may give any combination of indications related to malfunction of
these nerves, depending on the location, the size and the pressure of the tumor.
