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Nerve tumours - removed, with the nerve preserved.

Resection of schwannomas and neurofibromas by a consultant peripheral-nerve surgeon - microscope, nerve stimulation and fascicle sparing. MR neurography before the knife, sarcoma MDT if MPNST is suspected.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private nerve tumour surgery costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our peripheral-nerve network.

In short

£4,500–£7,500, day-case.

Procedure Indicative range
Superficial schwannoma resection (day-case) £4,500–£7,500
Deep or major-nerve schwannoma £7,500–£12,000
Solitary neurofibroma resection £5,000–£9,000
Plexiform neurofibroma (NF1) debulking £9,000–£18,000
MPNST-suspected wide excision (MDT) £12,000–£25,000+
MR neurography (MRN) £850–£1,600
Nerve-surgery consultation only £280–£450

Prices vary by hospital, by the surgeon’s sub-specialty (plastic, neuro, orthopaedic), by depth of the tumour and by whether reconstruction is needed. Plexiform and MPNST cases are always the top of the range and go via sarcoma MDT.

The problem

The right imaging, the right surgeon, the right decision to operate at all.

Nerve tumours are where general surgery quietly under-delivers - lumps biopsied when they should not be, resected on general lists that lack a microscope, or watched when they should be excised.

  • No biopsy of a suspected schwannoma

    Percutaneous biopsy of a nerve sheath tumour risks fascicular injury and confuses histology. MRN and clinical assessment come first.

  • Microscope and nerve stimulator, always

    Fascicle-sparing enucleation of a schwannoma is a microscope operation. Anything less risks the parent nerve.

  • Sarcoma MDT for any red flag

    Rapid growth, new deep pain, new weakness - particularly in NF1 - goes to a sarcoma MDT, not a general list.

When it helps

When resecting a nerve tumour is the right step.

The situations we see most, plus the red flag that means sarcoma referral rather than a routine list.

  • Painful peripheral lump with Tinel’s sign

    A tender lump that shoots tingling down the limb when tapped - classic for a nerve sheath tumour.

  • Solitary schwannoma (sporadic)

    A single, slow-growing, encapsulated tumour arising from a single fascicle - usually resectable with fascicle preservation.

  • Neurofibroma in NF1

    Cutaneous, subcutaneous or plexiform. Symptomatic or cosmetically troubling lesions are removed; asymptomatic ones are watched.

  • Schwannomatosis with intractable pain

    Multiple schwannomas without vestibular involvement - pain, not size, drives resection decisions.

  • Growing, changing or symptomatic lesion

    Rapid growth, new deep pain or new neurological deficit needs urgent imaging - MPNST must be excluded.

  • Cosmetic subcutaneous neurofibroma

    Visible lumps on face, neck or trunk removed for appearance where risk of nerve injury is acceptable.

  • NF2-related peripheral schwannoma

    Managed alongside vestibular tumours by a national NF centre - we refer where appropriate.

  • Red flag: rapid growth, night pain, new weakness

    A nerve mass growing fast, painful at night, or causing new motor loss is urgent - MPNST until proven otherwise, and needs a sarcoma MDT within days.

Procedure options

Technique depends on tumour type and biology.

What each option involves - enucleation, excision, debulking, reconstruction - and the intraoperative tools that keep the parent nerve safe.

  • Schwannoma - enucleation

    Encapsulated, arises from a single fascicle. The gold standard is intracapsular enucleation under the microscope, sparing the parent nerve. Recurrence under 5 percent.

  • Solitary neurofibroma - excision

    Interfascicular growth means the parent fascicle usually has to be sacrificed. Nerve function is weighed against symptoms before proceeding.

  • Plexiform neurofibroma - debulking

    NF1-associated diffuse tumours are debulked rather than fully removed; residual disease is expected and monitored.

  • Cutaneous neurofibromas - shave or laser

    Small skin neurofibromas removed by shave excision, electrodesiccation or CO2 laser in a day-case list, often multiple per session.

  • MPNST - wide oncological excision

    Suspected malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour needs sarcoma MDT, wide margins, often adjuvant radiotherapy. Never resected on a general list.

  • Endoscopic-assisted resection

    Selected deep-seated lesions in specialist hands - smaller wounds, faster recovery, but only where anatomy allows.

  • Intraoperative nerve monitoring

    Direct fascicular stimulation identifies non-conducting (safe to divide) versus conducting fascicles - the single biggest deficit-reduction tool.

  • Reconstruction after resection

    If a fascicle or nerve is sacrificed: direct repair, nerve graft (sural), or nerve transfer - planned at the same sitting.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Nerve tumour surgery is technique-dependent. The single biggest determinant of a good outcome is a surgeon who does this operation often, with a microscope and a stimulator.

  • GA and day-case realistic for most

    Superficial schwannomas of a limb nerve go home the same day. Deep, plexiform or major-nerve cases stay overnight or longer.

  • Nerve deficit - the honest number

    Sensory deficit in the nerve’s distribution occurs in around 10–25 percent after schwannoma; motor deficit under 5 percent with fascicle sparing. Higher for neurofibromas.

  • Neuropathic pain after surgery

    A minority develop neuropathic pain - usually settles, sometimes needs gabapentinoids or referral to a pain clinic.

  • Wound infection, haematoma, seroma

    Wound infection under 3 percent, haematoma under 2 percent. Larger deep resections may drain briefly.

  • Recurrence and residual disease

    Recurrence after schwannoma enucleation is uncommon (~5 percent). Plexiform neurofibromas regrow - debulking is not cure.

  • MPNST risk in NF1

    Lifetime MPNST risk in NF1 is 8–13 percent. New deep pain, rapid growth or new deficit needs urgent MRI and sarcoma referral.

  • Numbness is not always avoidable

    Even a perfect enucleation may leave a patch of numbness. We map the expected area on the skin before you consent.

  • Physiotherapy after major-nerve work

    Hand therapy, splinting or gait re-education is booked before you leave, not chased weeks later.

  • Red flags after surgery

    Spreading redness, fever, new complete motor loss, or uncontrolled pain need the same-day team or A&E, not a routine call.

Reading your operation note

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever nerve was operated on - median, ulnar, peroneal, brachial plexus - the note keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant surgeon reviewing a patient’s nerve operation notes

A quiet reminder

Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the operation note and the histology before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Nerve, tumour type and approach

    Which nerve was operated on, whether schwannoma or neurofibroma was expected, and the surgical approach used.

  2. 02 Technique

    Microscope, stimulator and fascicles

    Whether the microscope and nerve stimulator were used, and which fascicles were preserved, spared as non-conducting, or sacrificed.

  3. 03 Findings

    Tumour appearance, size, margins

    Encapsulated schwannoma versus interfascicular neurofibroma, size, whether complete or partial excision was achieved.

  4. 04 Impression

    Expected recovery and follow-up

    Read this first: expected numbness or weakness, any planned reconstruction, MPNST exclusion pending histology, and next review.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Resection of nerve sheath tumours is usually covered when medically indicated. Cosmetic-only excision of asymptomatic cutaneous neurofibromas may be self-pay.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about nerve tumour surgery.

Quick answers on schwannoma versus neurofibroma, biopsy, deficit risk, MPNST and cost.

  • What is the difference between a schwannoma and a neurofibroma?

    A schwannoma is encapsulated and grows from one fascicle - the parent nerve can usually be preserved. A neurofibroma grows within the nerve, entwined with fascicles, so removal often means sacrificing the fascicle involved. Both are benign; both come from the nerve sheath.

  • Will I be numb or weak after the operation?

    Some numbness in the nerve’s territory is common after schwannoma enucleation - usually a patch of skin, often temporary. Motor weakness is uncommon (under 5 percent) with fascicle-sparing technique. Neurofibromas carry a higher deficit risk, which we map before you consent.

  • Do I need surgery if the lump is painless?

    Not necessarily. Small, painless, stable nerve sheath tumours can be watched with imaging - particularly in NF1 or schwannomatosis. Resection is for pain, growth, cosmetic concern, or diagnostic uncertainty.

  • Should I have a biopsy first?

    Usually no. A percutaneous biopsy of a nerve sheath tumour can injure fascicles and confuse pathology. High-resolution MR neurography and clinical assessment guide the decision - biopsy is reserved for lesions where MPNST is suspected.

  • How is a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour treated differently?

    MPNST needs a sarcoma MDT, wide oncological margins, often adjuvant radiotherapy and sometimes chemotherapy. It is never resected on a general list. Rapid growth, new deep pain or new weakness - particularly in NF1 - is a red flag.

  • How much does private nerve tumour surgery cost in the UK?

    Roughly £4,500–£7,500 for a superficial schwannoma, £7,500–£12,000 for deep or major-nerve cases, £5,000–£9,000 for a solitary neurofibroma, and £9,000–£18,000 for plexiform debulking. MRN £850–£1,600.

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