Schwannoma

Schwannoma (acoustic neurinoma, neurilemoma or cerebellopontile angle tumor) are benign, slow growing cancer that affects the craniospinal nerve sheath.

Location

Schwannoma is usually located at:

Cranial Nerve (CN) VIII
CN V
CN VII
and rarely CN VI and X

Symptoms

The symptoms of schwannoma are:

Hearing loss
Tinnitus or ringing of the hear
Stiff neck
Secondary hydroencephalus (accumulation of fluid in the brain)
Uncoordinated movement or ataxia in one or both arms

Depending on the location of the tumor, schwannoma may also have the following symptoms:

Location	Symptoms
Cranial Nerve (CN) V	Paralysis of facial muscle, especially in the same side of the hearing loss Loss of corneal reflex or the reflex to close the eyelids when the cornea is touched

CN VI	Double vision

CN VII	Bell's palsy or sudden onset paralysis of facial muscle, characterized by muscle weakness and distorted facial expression

CN X	Weakness of the palate, tongue and nerve muscle on the same side as the cancer

References:

eMedicine - Schwannoma
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders - Vestibular Schwannoma
Cancer Research UK - Schwannoma that keeps coming back

See also:
Brain Tumor Overview

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP)

Brain Tumor Types: