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Retroperitoneal Schwannomas: Dilemmas in Diagnostic Approach and Therapeutic Management

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Abstract

Introduction

Schwannomas are rare tumors arising from Schwan cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. The majority of the cases are sporadic and familial clustering is often observed in association with von Rechlinghausen’s disease. Cases of intrasacral (osseous) and spinal tumors have also been described. Histologically, schwannomas are distinguished by the presence of areas of high and low cellularity called Antoni A and B tissue, respectively.

Clinical Presentation

Clinical features are highly non-specific and depend on the location and size of the lesion, with abdominal pain and neurological deficit being the most common abnormalities. Radiological studies are fundamental in the diagnostic evaluation of RSs.

Therapeutic Management

Despite recent research on the therapeutic strategies against RS, surgical resection appears the only potentially curative approach. Unfortunately, a mere minority of patients is eligible to undergo surgical intervention. In addition, surgical removal of RS does not necessarily guarantee patient’s long-term survival. Laparoscopic approach and enucleation of the tumor have been suggested as well. Alternative therapies, such as radio- and chemotherapy often proved insufficient. The aim of this review was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment for RS with special reference to the extent of its histological spread and to analyze the recent literature in order to provide an update on the current concepts of therapeutic management of this entity.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that no conflict of interest exists.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 4th Department of Surgery, Athens University, Medical School, Attikon University Hospital,, 1 Rimini Str., 12462, Chaidari, Athens, Greece

    Aikaterini Mastoraki, Felicia Toska, Ioannis Tsiverdis, Maria Kyriazi, Athanasios Tsagkas, Nikolaos Danias, Vasilios Smyrniotis & Nikolaos Arkadopoulos

  2. Gr. Lambraki 112-114, 12462, Piraeus, Athens, Greece

    Aikaterini Mastoraki

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  1. Aikaterini Mastoraki
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  2. Felicia Toska
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  3. Ioannis Tsiverdis
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  4. Maria Kyriazi
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  6. Nikolaos Danias
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  8. Nikolaos Arkadopoulos
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Correspondence to Aikaterini Mastoraki.

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Mastoraki, A., Toska, F., Tsiverdis, I. et al. Retroperitoneal Schwannomas: Dilemmas in Diagnostic Approach and Therapeutic Management. J Gastrointest Canc 44, 371–374 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-013-9510-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-013-9510-x

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