Neuroma Prognosis

A neuroma is a tumor that forms from nerve tissues. While these types of tumors are not malignant, they can present health complications.

Types of Neuroma

• Neuromas can occur in any part of your body, but they are most common in the brain (acoustic neuroma) or foot (Morton's neuroma).

Causes

• Neuromas typically form as a result of pressure, injury or scar tissue created by surgery, but in some cases, it is impossible to determine the cause of the tumor.

Malignancy

• Neuromas are not cancerous and will not metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body. Neuromas are slow-growing and not a life-threatening condition.

Complications

• In your brain, a neuroma can cause hearing loss, facial numbness and changes in the way you walk as the tumor presses upon various nerves. In other areas of your body, a neuroma is likely to just cause pain.

Treatment

• When neuromas cause complications that interfere with daily activities, doctors rely on surgery to remove them, particularly in neuromas that affect your brain. In some cases, corticosteroids or alcohol injections serve to reduce the size and effects of the tumor.