Schwannoma of the penis: a case report

BACKGROUND: Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors arising from Schwann cells, most commonly affecting cranial and peripheral nerves. Penile schwannomas are exceptionally rare, with fewer than 50 cases reported worldwide. Their clinical presentation often mimics other soft tissue lesions, posing diagnostic challenges for urologists. This report describes a rare case of penile schwannoma in a middle-aged Iranian man, highlighting its clinical, histopathological, and surgical features. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old Iranian Caucasian male presented with a painless, slow-growing, mobile mass on the dorsal glans penis, noted for 2 years with recent enlargement. Physical examination revealed a 10 × 10 mm lobulated lesion without ulceration or discharge. No lymphadenopathy or systemic findings were observed. Surgical excision was performed under local anesthesia, preserving the dorsal penile nerve. Histopathology revealed a well-defined, encapsulated biphasic spindle cell neoplasm with Antoni A and B areas, nuclear palisading, and dense chromatin. Immunohistochemistry showed strong positivity for S100 and SOX10, confirming the diagnosis of schwannoma. Postoperative follow-up over 1 year showed no erectile dysfunction or penile curvature. CONCLUSION: Penile schwannoma, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of penile masses. Accurate diagnosis relies on histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation. Complete surgical excision with nerve preservation offers favorable outcomes and minimal functional impairment.