Benign Glandular Schwannoma

Abstract

A rare example of a benign glandular schwannoma is reported. Further attention is drawn to this unusual subtype of schwannoma and the clinical parameters of the reported cases are compared with those of other types of schwannomas. The tumors tend to be small and superficial, and by contrast with malignant glandular schwannomas, the benign variant does not appear to be associated with von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis.

An unusual case of glandular schwannoma

“…As expected, these tumors have a favorable clinical course [5]. It is noted that benign glandular schwannomas tend to be small and superficial and in general are not associated with neurofibromatosis type I [9].…”

“…Benign glandular schwannomas (with benign schwannian and glandular components) are extremely rare, with only 8 cases reported in the literature [5,9]. As expected, these tumors have a favorable clinical course [5].…”

“…Intracellular as well as extracellular mucin that is histochemically identical to conventional epithelial mucin can be identified. Further support of the true epithelial nature of glandular structures is demonstrated by positive immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin [4][5][6] and electron microscopic observations of microvilli and core rootlets characteristic of intestinal epithelium [7]. At times, neuroendocrine cells may be present [8].…”

Benign Cutaneous Pseudoglandular Schwannoma

“…The glandular cells stained positively with cytokeratin, and negatively with S-100 protein, indicating that those were true glands. 4,6 It is believed that most glandular structures in benign schwannomas are entrapped sweat glands. However, in an early report by Woodruff, 7 4 of 5 cases of peripheral nerve tumors showing glandular differentiation were malignant, although the glandular elements appeared cytologically benign.…”

“…Only very few such cases have been reported in the literature. 3,4 We report here an unusual schwannoma that had an extensive microcystic architecture mimicking glandular spaces filled with mucinous contents and lined by Schwann cells.…”