A true malignant schwannoma of the eighth cranial nerve: case report.

Abstract

The clinical presentation, pathology, treatment, and outcome of a 43-year-old woman with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor arising from a benign schwannoma of the eighth cranial nerve are presented. Initially, the tumor was debulked. After finding malignant areas within the benign tumor, it was considered to be a malignant transformation of a previously benign tumor. Aggressive total resection was obtained during a second-stage procedure. Postoperatively, the tumor bed was radiated for palliation. Despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the patient died rapidly as a result of disseminated metastatic disease.