An unusual case of vulvar schwannoma

Abstract

Schwannoma is a benign, solitary, slow-growing neoplasm of the peripheral nerve sheath. These tumors are rarely found in the external genital system, and only a few cases of vulvar schwannoma have been reported. Herein, we report a case of a vulvar schwannoma. A 37-year-old woman presented with a 3-cm-sized painless mass of the vulva which had been present for 3 years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis showed an isolated finding of a 4.6-cm-sized round mass with a well-defined margin in the midline vulvar area. Simple excision of the tumor was undertaken, and histological examination with immunohistochemical testing demonstrated a vulvar schwannoma. Although benign schwannoma only rarely occurs in the vulva and other external areas of female genitalias, we suggest that it should be considered a differential diagnosis for patients that present a vulvar enlargement or mass. Simple surgical resection and follow-up is the most convenient treatment.