Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (704 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A neoplasm that arises from schwann cells of the cranial, peripheral, and autonomic nerves. Clinically, these tumors may present as a cranial neuropathy, abdominal or soft tissue mass, intracranial lesion, or with spinal cord compression. Histologically, these tumors are encapsulated, highly vascular, and composed of a homogenous pattern of biphasic fusiform-shaped cells that may have a palisaded appearance. (From DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 5th ed, pp964-5)
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Neurilemmomas; Neurinoma; Neurinomas; Schwannoma; Schwannomas; Neurilemoma; Neurilemomas; Schwannomatosis, Plexiform.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Neuroendocrine Tumors; Neuroma
- Narrower topics
- Neuroma, Acoustic
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 24,694 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Neurilemmoma” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 3,512 of them (14.2%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 11,362 records.
Reviews account for 2,788 records (11.3%) and meta-analyses for 134. Randomized controlled trials number 46 (0.2%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 11,362 |
| 2000-2009 | 4,449 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,371 |
| 2020 onward | 3,512 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 2,788 | 11.3% |
| Meta-analyses | 134 | 0.5% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 46 | 0.2% |
Method: PubMed query "Neurilemmoma"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cancer and oncology
Cancer research spans very different kinds of evidence. Laboratory studies in cell lines and animal models reveal mechanisms but often do not translate to patients. Early-phase trials mainly test safety and dosing, while phase 3 randomized trials and their meta-analyses are the usual basis for treatment conclusions. Outcomes also differ in meaning: tumour shrinkage, progression-free survival and overall survival are not interchangeable, and screening studies can be distorted by lead-time and overdiagnosis. When reading a result, check the cancer type and stage studied, the comparison treatment, and which outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-cell multi-omic analysis of the vestibular schwannoma ecosystem uncovers a nerve injury-like state | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 52 | cc by PMID 38216553 · DOI · PMC10786875 |
| Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of vestibular schwannoma reveals functionally distinct macrophage subsets | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 14 | cc by PMID 38480935 · DOI · PMC11091088 |
| Synergistic effect of PAK and Hippo pathway inhibitor combination in NF2-deficient Schwannoma | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 12 | cc by PMID 39083549 · DOI · PMC11290668 |
| Tumor Control After Radiosurgery in Sporadic and Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Vestibular Schwannomas | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 2 | cc by PMID 41454441 · DOI · PMC12743036 |
Single-cell multi-omic analysis of the vestibular schwannoma ecosystem uncovers a nerve injury-like state [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign tumors that lead to significant neurologic and otologic morbidity.
- Closing excerpt
- Our study indicates that Injury-like SCs may cause tumor growth via myeloid cell recruitment and identifies molecular pathways that may be therapeutically targeted.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (152 words)
Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign tumors that lead to significant neurologic and otologic morbidity. How VS heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to VS pathogenesis remains poorly understood. In this study, we perform scRNA-seq on 15 VS, with paired scATAC-seq (n = 6) and exome sequencing (n = 12). We identify diverse Schwann cell (SC), stromal, and immune populations in the VS TME and find that repair-like and MHC-II antigen-presenting SCs are associated with myeloid cell infiltrate, implicating a nerve injury-like process. Deconvolution analysis of RNA-expression data from 175 tumors reveals Injury-like tumors are associated with larger tumor size, and scATAC-seq identifies transcription factors associated with nerve repair SCs from Injury-like tumors. Ligand-receptor analysis and in vitro experiments suggest that Injury-like VS-SCs recruit myeloid cells via CSF1 signaling. Our study indicates that Injury-like SCs may cause tumor growth via myeloid cell recruitment and identifies molecular pathways that may be therapeutically targeted.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38216553 · DOI · PMC10786875
Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of vestibular schwannoma reveals functionally distinct macrophage subsets [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundVestibular schwannomas (VSs) remain a challenge due to their anatomical location and propensity to growth.
- Closing excerpt
- scRNAseq reveals three distinct subsets of macrophages in the VS tissue which may have differing roles in the pathogenesis of VS.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (193 words)
BackgroundVestibular schwannomas (VSs) remain a challenge due to their anatomical location and propensity to growth. Macrophages are present in VS but their roles in VS pathogenesis remains unknown.ObjectivesThe objective was to assess phenotypic and functional profile of macrophages in VS with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq).MethodsscRNAseq was carried out in three VS samples to examine characteristics of macrophages in the tumour. RT-qPCR was carried out on 10 VS samples for CD14, CD68 and CD163 and a panel of macrophage-associated molecules.ResultsscRNAseq revealed macrophages to be a major constituent of VS microenvironment with three distinct subclusters based on gene expression. The subclusters were also defined by expression of CD163, CD68 and IL-1β. AREG and PLAUR were expressed in the CD68+CD163+IL-1β+ subcluster, PLCG2 and NCKAP5 were expressed in CD68+CD163+IL-1β- subcluster and AUTS2 and SPP1 were expressed in the CD68+CD163-IL-1β+ subcluster. RT-qPCR showed expression of several macrophage markers in VS of which CD14, ALOX15, Interleukin-1β, INHBA and Colony Stimulating Factor-1R were found to have a high correlation with tumour volume.ConclusionsMacrophages form an important component of VS stroma. scRNAseq reveals three distinct subsets of macrophages in the VS tissue which may have differing roles in the pathogenesis of VS.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38480935 · DOI · PMC11091088
Synergistic effect of PAK and Hippo pathway inhibitor combination in NF2-deficient Schwannoma [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Neurofibromatosis type 2 is a genetic disorder that results in the formation and progressive growth of schwannomas, ependymomas, and/or meningiomas.
- Closing excerpt
- Finally, we demonstrate the efficacy of PAK and TEAD inhibitor combinations in several NF2-deficient Schwannoma cell lines.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (177 words)
Neurofibromatosis type 2 is a genetic disorder that results in the formation and progressive growth of schwannomas, ependymomas, and/or meningiomas. The NF2 gene encodes the Merlin protein, which links cell cortical elements to the actin cytoskeleton and regulates a number of key enzymes including Group I p21-activated kinases (PAKs), the Hippo-pathway kinase LATS, and mTORC. While PAK1 and PAK2 directly bind Merlin and transmit proliferation and survival signals when Merlin is mutated or absent, inhibition of Group 1 PAKs alone has not proven sufficient to completely stop the growth of NF2-deficient meningiomas or schwannomas in vivo, suggesting the need for a second pathway inhibitor. As the Hippo pathway is also activated in NF2-deficient cells, several inhibitors of the Hippo pathway have recently been developed in the form of YAP-TEAD binding inhibitors. These inhibitors prevent activation of pro-proliferation and anti-apoptotic Hippo pathway effectors. In this study, we show that PAK inhibition slows cell proliferation while TEAD inhibition promotes apoptotic cell death. Finally, we demonstrate the efficacy of PAK and TEAD inhibitor combinations in several NF2-deficient Schwannoma cell lines.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39083549 · DOI · PMC11290668
Tumor Control After Radiosurgery in Sporadic and Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Vestibular Schwannomas [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- IntroductionThe tumor control rate after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for neurofibromatosis type 2-associated vestibular schwannomas (NF2-VSs) compared to sporadic vestibular schwannomas (S-VSs) remains unclear.
- Closing excerpt
- However, among NF2-VS patients, younger age (≤ 19 years) was associated with poorer tumor control, suggesting that age may be a critical factor in treatment decisions.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (182 words)
IntroductionThe tumor control rate after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for neurofibromatosis type 2-associated vestibular schwannomas (NF2-VSs) compared to sporadic vestibular schwannomas (S-VSs) remains unclear. This nationwide, multicenter, retrospective study (KGKRS-21-001) aimed to clarify this issue.MethodsA total of 4718 patients treated with SRS for vestibular schwannomas were analyzed from 13 nationwide institutions in Korea. NF2-VS cases were propensity score-matched with S-VS cases at a ratio of 1:1, based on age, tumor volume, and marginal dose, resulting in 122 cases in each group.ResultsNo significant differences in age, tumor volume, or marginal dose were observed between the matched cohorts. The overall tumor control rates at 1, 3, and 10 years after SRS were 93.3%, 87.7%, and 80.7%, respectively, with no significant difference between NF2-VS and S-VS groups (p = 0.63). Subgroup analysis showed that age ≤ 19 years was a significant negative prognostic factor for tumor control in NF2-VS patients (p ConclusionsSRS provides comparable tumor control for NF2-VSs and S-VSs. However, among NF2-VS patients, younger age (≤ 19 years) was associated with poorer tumor control, suggesting that age may be a critical factor in treatment decisions.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41454441 · DOI · PMC12743036
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Vestibular Schwannomas [5]
- Research article Updated diagnostic criteria and nomenclature for neurofibromatosis type 2 and schwannomatosis: An international consensus recommendation [6]
- Research article Growth rate of vestibular schwannoma [7]
- Research article Global Incidence of Sporadic Vestibular Schwannoma: A Systematic Review [8]
- Research article A meta-analysis comparing outcomes of microsurgery and gamma knife radiosurgery [9]
- Research article Systematic review and meta-analysis of the technique of subtotal resection and stereotactic radiosurgery for large vestibular schwannomas: a "nerve-centered" approach [10]
References
- Barrett TF, Patel B, Khan SM, Mullins RDZ, Yim AKY, Pugazenthi S, et al.. Single-cell multi-omic analysis of the vestibular schwannoma ecosystem uncovers a nerve injury-like state. . 2024. PMID 38216553 · DOI · PMC10786875
- Baruah P, Mahony C, Marshall JL, Smith CG, Monksfield P, Irving RI, et al.. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of vestibular schwannoma reveals functionally distinct macrophage subsets. . 2024. PMID 38480935 · DOI · PMC11091088
- Benton D, Yee Chow H, Karchugina S, Chernoff J. Synergistic effect of PAK and Hippo pathway inhibitor combination in NF2-deficient Schwannoma. . 2024. PMID 39083549 · DOI · PMC11290668
- Ji SY, Kim YH, Chang WS, Kang H, Lee JI, Han JH, et al.. Tumor Control After Radiosurgery in Sporadic and Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Vestibular Schwannomas. . 2026. PMID 41454441 · DOI · PMC12743036
- Carlson ML, Link MJ. Vestibular Schwannomas. N Engl J Med. 2021. PMID 33826821 · DOI
- Plotkin SR, Messiaen L, Legius E, Pancza P, Avery RA, Blakeley JO, et al.. Updated diagnostic criteria and nomenclature for neurofibromatosis type 2 and schwannomatosis: An international consensus recommendation. Genet Med. 2022. PMID 35674741 · DOI
- Paldor I, Chen AS, Kaye AH. Growth rate of vestibular schwannoma. J Clin Neurosci. 2016. PMID 27450283 · DOI
- Marinelli JP, Beeler CJ, Carlson ML, Caye-Thomasen P, Spear SA, Erbele ID. Global Incidence of Sporadic Vestibular Schwannoma: A Systematic Review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022. PMID 34464224 · DOI
- Kaylie DM, Horgan MJ, Delashaw JB, McMenomey SO. A meta-analysis comparing outcomes of microsurgery and gamma knife radiosurgery. Laryngoscope. 2000. PMID 11081598 · DOI
- Starnoni D, Daniel RT, Tuleasca C, George M, Levivier M, Messerer M. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the technique of subtotal resection and stereotactic radiosurgery for large vestibular schwannomas: a "nerve-centered" approach. Neurosurg Focus. 2018. PMID 29490553 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.