What is the best treatment for acoustic neuroma?

What is the best treatment for acoustic neuroma?

Acoustic Neuroma Treatment

• Surgery to remove the tumor. This is a highly effective treatment for acoustic neuromas.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery. This form of radiation therapy delivers precisely targeted radiation to the tumor while avoiding the surrounding healthy tissue.
• Observation.

What is the survival rate for acoustic neuroma?

Multivariate analyses revealed that postoperative mortality following acoustic neuroma excision was 0.5%, with adverse discharge disposition of 6.1%. The odds ratio for mortality in African Americans compared with Caucasians was 8.82 (95% confidence interval = 1.85–41.9, P = . 006).

Can an acoustic neuroma go away on its own?

Rarely, an acoustic neuroma may shrink on its own. While the frequency varies, people with an acoustic neuroma may have an MRI scan at least once a year to determine whether the tumor has grown. The doctor may also ask about symptoms, such as tinnitus, or ringing in the ears; hearing loss; and balance problems.

Can acoustic neuroma grow quickly?

Although most acoustic neuromas grow slowly, some grow quite quickly and can double in volume within 6 months to a year. Although some tumors adhere to one or another of these growth patterns, others appear to alternate between periods of no or slow growth and rapid growth.

What does an acoustic neuroma headache feel like?

The dura has sensory fibers that can transmit the sensation of the pressure. The headache that results from the acoustic neuroma can be dull or aching in quality and is usually unilateral. The headache may “radiate” to the neck, top of the head or front of the head.

How fast does acoustic neuroma grow?

At what size should an acoustic neuroma be removed?

11, 27 Observation alone may be the best option for tumors up to 1.5 cm in size. If they grow, they can undergo low-morbidity surgery providing this is done promptly, before the tumor reaches the critical size of 1.5 cm.

Can you live a long life with acoustic neuroma?

The patient may choose to live with the acoustic neuroma as long as it is not a life-threatening condition rather than risk further hearing loss that can potentially occur from therapy. If an acoustic neuroma eventually causes symptoms, then radiation therapy or microsurgery may be necessary.

Is acoustic neuroma serious?

Large acoustic neuromas can be serious because they can sometimes cause a life-threatening build-up of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus). But it’s rare for them to reach this stage. Many grow very slowly or not at all, and those that grow more quickly can be treated before they become too big.

Can acoustic neuroma symptoms come and go?

While rare, symptoms resulting from the involvement of other cranial nerves include facial weakness or paralysis, facial numbness or tingling, and swallowing difficulties. Facial numbness or tingling can be constant or it may come and go (intermittent).

Do acoustic neuromas make you tired?

An acoustic neuroma compresses the brainstem, and in doing so, disrupts information that travels between different parts of the brain and body. The result: the additional pressure that an acoustic neuroma puts on a person’s brainstem may cause an individual to feel tired.