title: Malignant schwannoma of the vagus nerve: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: A case of neuroectodermal tumor, a malignant schwannoma, of the cervical vagus nerve is presented. It had been previously misdiagnosed and was a recurrence. A review of the literature reveals this to be the sixth such case reported. The difficulties in establishing a diagnosis and the principals of adequate therapy are discussed; these include wide surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy to the tumor bed. The correct recognition of their malignant potential is essential for long-term disease-free survival.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000601:surgery