If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) tumor, you may feel a sense of uneasiness or fear. You should know that various treatment options are available, with a high success rate and minimal complications. At the Advanced Neurosciences Center at Endeavor Health Neurosciences Institute, our team is always up to date on the latest treatments for acoustic neuromas to ensure you receive the best possible care and get you started on your road to recovery.
What is the best treatment for acoustic neuroma?
Treatment for acoustic neuroma will depend on your specific circumstances. Choosing a treatment path is a decision between you and your doctor. At the Advanced Neurosciences Center, we work to ensure that patients feel empowered to be decision-makers in their care. You may be presented with one or more of the following options:
Observation
If your tumor is small, slow growing, and not causing disruptive symptoms, your doctor may recommend monitoring or ongoing observation with no other active treatment. This will involve regular check-ups with a specialist and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to ensure that the tumor is not growing, and that the treatment plan remains effective. If the tumor shows noticeable changes, you and your doctor can discuss other treatment options best suited for your situation.
Removal surgery
If your tumor is larger, growing, or causing symptoms, surgery may be the recommended approach and is generally the most common treatment for acoustic neuroma. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so the tumor can be removed. The goal is full removal, but sometimes due to tumor size and location, only a portion of it can be taken out.
While there are risks to surgery, at the Advanced Neurosciences Center, we have highly skilled and experienced surgeons who are globally recognized for their expertise in neurosurgery. We use innovative, highly advanced, minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of acoustic neuroma. These advancements have made this procedure safer and more successful, leading to a greater chance of a full recovery with minimal side effects.
Radiosurgery
Radiosurgery is a form of radiation therapy that involves delivering high doses of radiation to the tumor while avoiding effects on healthy tissue. This method is usually used on smaller tumors. This treatment is not generally recommended for younger patients or those with large tumors, but it is a good option if you cannot have surgery for health reasons or are an older adult.
This procedure shrinks the size of the tumor and prevents further growth. It also helps preserve facial nerve function and hearing. As with any medical intervention, there are possible risks, such as ringing in the ear, facial numbness, and balance problems.
Treatment outcomes
While every patient’s specific outcome following treatment for an acoustic neuroma depends on their individualized circumstances and overall health, the general outlook for acoustic neuroma is positive. Patients typically respond well to treatment, and complications are rare, although some hearing loss in the affected ear post-treatment may occur. The recurrence rate of acoustic neuroma is less than 5%.
Finding the right treatment for you
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, our team of specialists will provide patient-centered and compassionate care. The Advanced Neurosciences Center team will analyze and discuss all the treatment options available and determine a plain tailored to you. We’ve got you.