The Long-term Outcome After Resection of Intraspinal Nerve Sheath Tumors

Abstract BACKGROUND: The existing literature on recurrence rates and long-term clinical outcome after resection of intraspinal nerve sheath tumors is limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate progression-free survival, overall survival, and long-term clinical outcome in a consecutive series of 131 patients with symptomatic intraspinal nerve sheath tumors. METHODS: Medical charts were retrospectively reviewed. Surviving patients voluntarily participated in a clinical history and physical examination that focused on neurological function and current tumor status. RESULTS: Follow-up data are 100% complete; median follow-up time was 6.1 years. All patients (100%) had surgery as the first line of treatment; gross total resection was performed in 112 patients (85.5%) and subtotal resection in 19 patients (14.5%). Five-year progression-free survival was 89%. The following risk factors for recurrence were identified: neurofibroma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, subtotal resection, neurofibromatoses/schwannomatosis, and advancing age at diagnosis. More than 95% of patients had neurological function compatible with an independent life at follow-up. The rate of tumor recurrence in nonneurofibromatosis patients undergoing total resection of a single schwannoma was 3% (3/93), in comparison with a recurrence rate of 32% (12/38) in the remaining patients. CONCLUSION: Gross total resection is the gold standard treatment for patients with intraspinal nerve sheath tumors. In a time of limited health care resources, we recommend that follow-up be focused on the subgroup of patients with a high risk of recurrence. The benefit of long-term, yearly magnetic resonance imaging follow-up with respect to recurrence in nonneurofibromatosis patients undergoing gross total resection of a single schwannoma is, in our opinion, questionable.