Rare Nerve Tumor Successfully Removed in Budapest, Restoring Patient’s Ability to Walk

A multidisciplinary team at Semmelweis University in Budapest has successfully performed a laparoscopic removal of a rare benign nerve sheath tumor—a schwannoma (also known as a neurinoma)—from the pelvis of a young woman, according to Medical Xpress.

Following the procedure, the patient's quality of life and ability to walk independently were fully restored.

The surgery was performed on May 6, 2026, through a collaboration between the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Neurosurgery and Neurointervention.

The surgical team included neuropelveology specialists, neurosurgeons, and intraoperative neuromonitoring experts, who used specialized equipment to continuously monitor nerve function throughout the operation.

According to Loránd Erőss, head of the Department of Neurosurgery and Neurointervention, the patient had a rare type of schwannoma located in the retroperitoneal space behind the uterus. Such tumors account for only 1–3% of all schwannomas and require particularly careful diagnosis because their symptoms often resemble those of spinal disorders.

“In this case, we encountered a very rare form of schwannoma—a tumor located behind the uterus in the pelvis, within the retroperitoneal space,” Erőss said.

The patient sought medical attention because of persistent pain radiating into her leg, caused by compression of nearby nerves. According to Attila Bokor, head of the Center for Endometriosis and Laparoscopic Surgery, the tumor measured approximately five centimeters and was located close to where the sacral nerve roots exit the spine.

“The patient came to us because of unbearable pain radiating into her right leg,” Bokor said.

During the approximately five-hour operation, surgeons used a 32-channel neuromonitoring system together with electrophysiological monitoring, enabling them to precisely identify critical nerve structures and minimize the risk of nerve damage. The procedure was particularly challenging because the tumor was located in an anatomically difficult area containing nerves responsible for bladder, bowel, and reproductive functions.

“This ensured a high level of safety throughout the procedure,” Bokor noted.

The medical team emphasized that the goals of the surgery extended beyond removing the tumor and relieving pain. Preserving nerve function and the patient's future reproductive potential was equally important.

The operation attracted international attention, with specialists from Slovenia, Türkiye, and Portugal observing the procedure live. The patient was discharged the following day in satisfactory condition.

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