Neurilemoma is a medical term used to describe a type of tumor affecting nerves. The spelling of this word can be broken down into phonetic segments. It is pronounced as /nəˈrjʊləˌməʊmə/ where the first syllable "neu" is pronounced as "nuh" followed by "ri" sounds like "ree". The third and fourth syllables are pronounced as "luh-moh-muh". The final syllable "ma" is pronounced as "muh". Understanding the phonetic transcription of a word can help in proper pronunciation and effective communication in the medical field.
Neurilemoma, also known as a schwannoma, is a slow-growing benign tumor that arises from the Schwann cells, which are responsible for producing the myelin sheath that covers and protects peripheral nerves. It is derived from neoplastic Schwann cells and commonly found in peripheral nerves throughout the body, occurring most frequently in the head, neck, extremities, and spinal cord.
Clinically, neurilemomas are usually solitary, encapsulated, and well-defined masses. They typically present as painless, round or oval-shaped, slow-growing nodules that can occur at any age but are most commonly seen in adults between the ages of 20 and 50. While neurilemomas are generally benign, they can become locally invasive and compress surrounding tissues or nerves, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness.
Diagnostic evaluation often includes imaging techniques like MRI or CT scan, which can reveal the size, location, and relations of the tumor. Definitive diagnosis requires histopathological examination, where examination of tissue samples under a microscope can confirm the presence of the characteristic patterns of spindle-shaped cells with palisading nuclei.
Treatment of neurilemomas usually involves surgical excision, aiming to remove the entire tumor while preserving nerve function. In cases where complete excision is not feasible or if the tumor is causing significant symptoms, radiation therapy may be considered to control tumor growth. Prognosis after surgical removal is generally excellent, with low recurrence rates and minimal long-term complications.
The word "neurilemoma" is derived from two components: "neuri-" and "-lemoma".
1. "Neuri-" comes from the Greek word "neuron", meaning "nerve". It specifically refers to the bundle of fibers that make up a nerve.
2. "-lemoma" is derived from the Greek word "lēmmatom", which means "hull" or "sheath". In medical terminology, "-lemoma" is commonly used to denote a tumor or growth originating from the covering or sheath of a nerve.
Therefore, the term "neurilemoma" is used to describe a benign tumor originating from the sheath or covering (neurilemma) of a nerve.