Left axillary Schwannoma with Ganglional Involvement of Malignant Appearance: A Rare Case Report

Schwannomas are tumors, generally benign, originating in the Schwann cells of peripheral nerves. These tumors are usually located in the head, neck, arms, legs, body and chest, while axillary involvement is uncommon. The etiology of schwannomas is uncertain, but it is believed to be related to metastatic diseases, radiotherapy and advanced age. Symptoms are often absent or present as a tumor with paresthesia and/or radiating local pain, making early diagnosis difficult. That said, the case reported below is unique and describes a 43-year-old female patient, with the presence of an expanding left axillary nodule, with no history of previous illnesses and previous surgical or radiotherapy procedures, making the case unusual. Diagnosis was only possible with immunohistochemical analysis after tumor excision, confirming the diagnosis of malignant axillary schwannoma with lymph node involvement, requiring adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the literature there are only four reports of malignant schwannomas in the breast, highlighting the importance of an early diagnosis and effective therapeutic method, given the difficult diagnosis and rarity of the case.