Nerve sheath tumors

Nerve sheath tumor care at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic doctors are trusted for their experience diagnosing and treating all types of nerve sheath tumors, from common schwannomas and neurofibromas to complex tumors such as plexiform neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). Doctors care for both adults and children, offering coordinated, comprehensive treatment supported by leading-edge research.

Team approach

People who come to Mayo Clinic for nerve sheath tumor care are evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. Experts in nervous system conditions (neurologists) and experts in nerve surgery (neurosurgeons) collaborate with radiologists; ear, nose and throat specialists (otolaryngologists); oncologists; radiation oncologists; and healthcare professionals trained to help people regain movement and function. They work together to create a unified treatment plan.

Other experts join your team based on your needs. For example:

• Audiologists and skull base tumor specialists for vestibular schwannomas.
• Geneticists for inherited syndromes such as neurofibromatosis.
• Pathologists and imaging experts for precise tumor characterization.

This collaborative model ensures that every aspect of your care is considered, whether your tumor is straightforward or highly complex.

Other experts may be included depending on your specific needs. They might include an audiologist if you have a vestibular schwannoma or a geneticist if you have neurofibromatosis, which can be passed on by a parent. This team works together to make sure you get exactly the care you need.

Advanced diagnosis and treatment

Mayo Clinic specialists have extensive experience diagnosing nerve sheath tumors. They use innovative, noninvasive approaches to imaging, including:

• High-resolution 3D MRI.
• 7-tesla MRI.
• PET-MRI and multimodal imaging, which can sometimes help distinguish benign from cancerous tumors without surgery.
• Genetic analysis for inherited tumor syndromes.

If you need surgery, you are treated by neurosurgeons who focus specifically on nerve sheath tumor surgery. They use:

• Microsurgical techniques.
• Computer-assisted navigation.
• Intraoperative nerve monitoring.

These advanced methods help remove the tumor while preserving as much nerve function as possible. Many Mayo clinic surgeons specialize in minimally invasive methods of removing nerve sheath tumors.

Mayo Clinic surgeons also have experience treating recurrent tumors, including those previously treated with stereotactic radiosurgery, and managing complex tumors involving major nerves.

If you and your healthcare professional decide that surgery is the right option for you, you'll be treated by a surgeon who focuses on nerve sheath tumor care.

Other treatments such as stereotactic radiosurgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and proton therapy may be options in certain situations. Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists can help you recover function after treatment.

Pediatric expertise

Children and adolescents with nerve sheath tumors receive specialized care from Mayo Clinic's pediatric neurologists and pediatric neurosurgeons, doctors trained in hereditary conditions (geneticists), and specialists trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation. These teams understand the unique needs of children with nerve sheath tumors and conditions such as neurofibromatosis.

Care focused on your needs

Your Mayo Clinic care team takes the time to understand your goals and needs. You receive coordinated care that is efficient and compassionate. In many situations, people can complete their evaluations and begin treatment within a few days.

Expertise and rankings

Experience

Mayo Clinic is one of the highest-volume neurosurgical centers in the country. Mayo doctors are respected for their experience diagnosing and treating nerve sheath tumors, from the routine to the complex, such as dumbbell tumors.

Care for people with cancerous nerve sheath tumors is done in conjunction with Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center meets strict standards to be designated a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center. The designation recognizes scientific excellence and a multidisciplinary approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Nationally recognized expertise

Mayo Clinic has earned national recognition for developing special techniques that let surgeons remove a tumor, often without damaging nerves. Mayo neurologists and neurosurgeons regularly contribute to medical journals and textbooks and host educational seminars for other doctors to advance nerve sheath tumor treatment for people everywhere. In 2019 Mayo Clinic hosted the international conference for a type of nerve sheath tumor called vestibular schwannoma.

Mayo Clinic physicians also have served as leaders in the American Society for Peripheral Nerve, American Academy of Neurological Surgery, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Society of Neurological Surgeons, North American Skull Base Society and the American Board of Neurological Surgery.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona., rank among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery and for cancer in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Mayo Clinic Children's in Rochester is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Minnesota and the five-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2025–2026 "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings. With the emphasis on collaborative care, specialists interact very closely with their colleagues across all sites.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., has been recognized as one of the top Rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for ear, nose and throat by U.S. News & World Report.

Learn more about Mayo Clinic's neurology and neurosurgery departments' expertise and rankings.