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What is Schwannoma?

A schwannoma is a type of tumor that arises from Schwann cells found in the nerve roots or the peripheral nervous system. They typically grow slowly and are benign. Vestibular schwannomas, which develop in an inner ear nerve, are the most prevalent kind.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

In addition to minimising potential complications by treating the tumor while it is still small and before it causes significant damage or symptoms, early treatment of a schwannoma is essential because it allows for better preservation of function in the affected area, especially when the tumor is near vital nerves like those responsible for hearing and balance.

What are the Common Symptoms of Schwannoma?

  • Constant or sporadic pain at the tumor's location (however, not all schwannomas are painful)
  • Tingling and numbness in the damaged nerve's vicinity
  • Loss of feeling in the damaged nerve's vicinity
  • Weakened muscles or altered reflexes
  • Lightheadedness or issues with balance.

Causes and Risk Factors of Schwannoma

Causes

Most of the time, the cause of schwannomas is unknown. About 90% of cases happen infrequently or at random.

  • Schwannomatosis,
  • Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2)
  • Carney complex

According to genetic research, the NF2 gene on chromosome 22 is crucial for schwannoma formation.

Risk Factors

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Anesthesia-related side effects
  • Nerve injury
  • Paralysis
  • Numbness or weakness in the afflicted area.

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Schwannoma Prevention Tips

  • Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid schwannomas. Most of the time, they occur at random for unclear causes. Genetic factors that increase your risk of developing specific tumor types are linked to 10% of instances.

Treatment options for Schwannoma

Stereotactic Radio Therapy: To eradicate tumors, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) employs many laser beams that are carefully focused. To avoid potential difficulties, your doctor could suggest SRS rather than surgery if the tumor is close to important blood vessels or nerves.


Cost Start From USD 3750 - USD 5500Explore Options

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: Brain stereotactic radiosurgery is another name for gamma knife radiosurgery. Since no incision is made into the brain tissue, it is not surgery in the conventional sense. About 200 beams of focused radiation are directed straight at the vestibular schwannoma using specialised equipment.


Cost Start From USD 8100 - USD 9900Explore Options

The following imaging studies can be used to diagnose a schwannoma:

  • MRI: A big magnet, radio waves, and a computer are used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a painless procedure that creates obvious pictures of the organs and structures inside your body. This imaging test is recommended to identify and diagnose schwannomas.
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan creates images of the internal components of your body using computers and X-rays.
  • Ultrasound: Ultrasound produces live images or films of internal organs or other soft tissues by using high-frequency sound waves. Medical professionals can use ultrasound to find schwannomas beneath your skin.
  • Nutritional Counseling: Diet plans to reduce inflammation and maintain a healthy weight.
  • Personalised Therapy Plans: Individually tailored treatments for pain management and enhanced mobility.
  • Rehabilitation post-surgery: physiotherapy sessions focused on restoring joint function and strength.
  • Nutrition Guidance: Customized dietary plan for reducing inflammation and maintaining a healthy weight for overall recovery.

Healthcare professionals may suggest medications that treat nerve pain.

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Hospitals for Schwannoma in Turkey

Acibadem University Hospital Atakent: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Acibadem University Hospital Atakent

Istanbul, Turkey

Acibadem University Hospital Atakent located in Istanbul, Turkey is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • Spread over an area of 60,000 square meters
  • It has 300 wards with 8 operating rooms
  • It has an inpatient treatment capacity of 278
  • Intensive care unit bed capacity is of 29 beds
  • The healthcare organisation has several kinds of infrastructure for services such as free parking, cafeteria, Wi-Fi, hairdressing salon, ATM, ergonomic hospital beds, and prayer rooms.
  • The hospital has both standard single rooms and double rooms (24 in number) for the patients.
  • The hospital wards are also equipped with metal handrails, emergency cords, and call buttons for patients with mobility issues.
  • The latest medical technology is present here to treat patients such as MR-LINAC linear accelerator, The da Vinci robot, and TrueBeam Linear Accelerator.
  • The diagnostic department of the hospital has the following equipments:
  • MRI 3 Tesla
  • Full-body MRI
  • Spect CT
  • Flash-CT
  • Ductoscopy (early diagnosis of breast duct cancer)
  • DSA digital angiography
  • Endoultrasonography (EUS)
  • Ultrasonic echography
Medical Park Ordu Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Medical Park Ordu Hospital

Ordu, Turkey

Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Medical Park Ordu Hospital located in Ordu, Turkey has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, SIM, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • A total inpatient bed availability of 206 beds including 38 patient observation
  • 47 Intensive Care Beds
  • 19 beds in General Intensive Care Unit
  • 10 in Coronary Intensive Care Unit
  • 6 in Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
  • 12 in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • Medical Oncology Unit
  • Cardiovascular Unit
  • Sleep Laboratory
  • Emergency ward- comprises a CPR room, a first response room, a wound dressing room, a short stay unit, and private observation rooms that protects privacy
  • Observation Rooms
  • 6 full-fledged operating theaters, including 1 reserved for Cardiovascular Surgery operations
  • Every room is furnished with every detail to provide a comfortable stay for patients, such as nurse call system, computer access system, and controllable patient bed in each room
  • Suite rooms that are specially designed for patients with infectious diseases and ensure the required isolation, are put at the disposal of patients in the hospital's inpatient ward
Medicana International Istanbul: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Medicana International Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey

Medicana International Istanbul located in Istanbul, Turkey is accredited by ISO, JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • Covers an indoor area of 30.000 m
  • Capacity of 191 beds
  • 34 ICUs
  • 8 NICUs
  • 8 Operation Theatres
  • Inpatient Floors
  • Outpatient Floors
  • Internal and Surgical Intensive Unit Care
  • Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit
  • Coronary Intensive Care Unit
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • Patient comfort CIP, VIP and Standard Patient Rooms
  • Intensive care patient rooms
  • Technology Advancement- PET-CT, ERCP, BT/MR 1.5 Tesla

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Why Choose Turkey for Schwannomas Treatment?

Here are some of the reasons for choosing Turkey:

  • Due to advancements in medical facilities, such as minimally invasive surgical techniques and immunosuppression therapy.
  • World-class experts include highly experienced doctors and JCI-accredited healthcare institutions.
  • Compared to other countries, treatment in Turkish hospitals is cost-effective.
  • Turkey's hospitals provide international patient services, including a multilingual support system.
  • Improved treatment methods and biological therapies.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is treatable, yes. Schwannomas are usually not malignant, but they can develop and become more problematic if left untreated. Some schwannomas can be removed without causing any damage to the surrounding nerve tissue, but if your tumor is large or deeply implanted, more surgery might be necessary.

The nation's healthcare institutions provide high-quality treatment options, ensuring positive outcomes for many patients. Depending on the location and size of the tumour, treatment for Schwannomas in Turkey is thought to be effective, with surgical options such as microsurgery and minimally invasive Gamma Knife radiosurgery, particularly for smaller tumours, allowing for reasonable tumour control while preserving essential functions like hearing. To achieve the most significant results, seek treatment from a medical center with skilled neurosurgeons.

Yes, many Turkish hospitals offer the following for Schwannoma treatment:

  • Advanced diagnostic tools like MRI, CT scan, electromyography, and PET scan for accurate Schwannoma
  • Skilled neurologist and surgeons for Schwannoma treatment.
  • Advanced gamma knife radiation therapy
  • Comprehensive post-surgery care and rehabilitation for long-term health benefit

Always consider the following factors when selecting a hospital in Turkey:

  • Hospitals that are accredited (authorised by JCI).
  • Patient reviews and success rates.
  • Hospitals that provide seamless care to patients from abroad.

There is minimal evidence in Turkey on the success rates of schwannoma treatments. However, research from other countries shows that gamma knife surgery for vestibular schwannomas has a 10-year progression-free survival rate of around 87%. Furthermore, success rates for stereotactic radiosurgery have ranged from 91% to 100% during the last decade.

Depending on where the tumor is located, a doctor will perform a physical examination, order imaging tests like an MRI scan, and possibly perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. If your child has a schwannoma, you should look for symptoms such as a painless or painful lump that grows slowly, numbness or tingling in a specific area, one-sided hearing loss, dizziness, facial weakness, or pain.

Depending on the tumor's location, size, and treatment, a patient may experience long-term effects from a schwannoma such as tinnitus (ear ringing), balance issues, facial weakness or numbness, persistent hearing loss, and occasionally even trouble swallowing or moving their eye. However, most schwannomas are benign and slow-growing, so if they are appropriately diagnosed and treated, they rarely significantly impact life expectancy.

Providing a supportive environment, managing symptoms with medication and therapies as directed by the doctor, closely monitoring the child's seizures, seeking specialised care such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and being ready for any necessary surgical procedures, such as a hemispherectomy, are all part of caring for a child with Schwannoma.