title: Retroperitoneal schwannomas: dilemmas in diagnostic approach and therapeutic management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schwannomas are rare tumors arising from Schwan cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. The majority of the cases are sporadic and familial clustering is often observed in association with von Rechlinghausen's disease. Cases of intrasacral (osseous) and spinal tumors have also been described. Histologically, schwannomas are distinguished by the presence of areas of high and low cellularity called Antoni A and B tissue, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical features are highly non-specific and depend on the location and size of the lesion, with abdominal pain and neurological deficit being the most common abnormalities. Radiological studies are fundamental in the diagnostic evaluation of RSs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite recent research on the therapeutic strategies against RS, surgical resection appears the only potentially curative approach. Unfortunately, a mere minority of patients is eligible to undergo surgical intervention. In addition, surgical removal of RS does not necessarily guarantee patient's long-term survival. Laparoscopic approach and enucleation of the tumor have been suggested as well. Alternative therapies, such as radio- and chemotherapy often proved insufficient. The aim of this review was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment for RS with special reference to the extent of its histological spread and to analyze the recent literature in order to provide an update on the current concepts of therapeutic management of this entity.
authors.affiliation: 4th Department of Surgery, Athens University, Medical School, Attikon University Hospital,, 1 Rimini Str., 12462, Chaidari, Athens, Greece, dr_kamast@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Aikaterini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mastoraki
authors.forename: Felicia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Toska
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsiverdis
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kyriazi
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsagkas
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Danias
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Smyrniotis
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arkadopoulos
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*