About Tumours and Cancers
Find out how different cancers and tumours can affect the facial nerve either directly or indirectly and cause facial palsy.
Facial Nerve Tumour (Facial Nerve Neuroma)
Facial nerve tumours are extremely rare and almost always non-cancerous, but they can still cause problems including facial weakness.
NF2-related-Schwannomatosis (NF2)
NF2 is characterised by benign tumours called vestibular schwannomas. These tumours form on the eighth cranial nerves, which are involved in hearing and balance. They sometimes interfere with the functioning of the facial nerve resulting in facial palsy.
Salivary Gland Tumour
Most salivary gland tumours are benign (not cancerous) and do not spread to other tissues. These benign tumours are very unlikely to cause a facial palsy, although their removal carries a small risk of this.
Vestibular Schwannoma (Acoustic Neuroma)
A vestibular schwannoma is a rare tumour that grows in the sheath covering the balance nerve. Due to its proximity to the facial nerve, any bruising, stretching or disturbance to the facial nerve may cause facial palsy.