Schwannoma study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing for intratumoural axons in schwannomas arising in patients with Neurofibromatosis type 2.
IRAS ID
127844
Contact name
Ruth Asher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Schwannomas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours that are thought to arise from the surface of their nerve of origin and to be composed purely of cells that resemble Schwann cells. Although Schwannomas can arise sporadically, they can also be associated with a genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2).
Neurofibromas are also benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours however they contain a mixture of cell types, including Schwann cells and axons. They are more closely associated with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).
Occasionally it can be difficult to distinguish histologically (by microscope in the pathology lab) between schwannomas and neurofibromas. This is important because while schwannomas are only very rarely associated with a risk of transforming into a malignant cancer, neurofibromas do carry a small risk of malignant transformation. Furthermore, correct diagnosis is required in order to determine whether the patient has a genetic syndrome such as NF1 or NF2.
Previously this difficulty was managed by attempting to demonstrate axons within the tumour using special (immunohistochemical) stains for neurofilament protein (NFP) – since Schwannomas do not contain axons, or if they are present they are at the periphery and not contained within the tumour, NFP should be negative in schwannoma but positive in neuromafibroma.
This view has been challenged by several series which have demonstrated NFP staining in schwannomas, both in sporadic cases and in those associated with NF2.
This study will analyse the patterns of staining (NFP, S100 and EMA - markers of schwannomas and neurofibromas) in a large group (32 cases) of schwannomas from 19 patients with NF2 that were identified from histology reports generated in this hospital between 2003-2012. A matched number of sporadic schwannomas (arising in patients without NF2) will be used as controls.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NE/0256
Date of REC Opinion
20 Aug 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion