|
|
Acoustic Neuroma
This is a slow-growing, non-cancerous tumor affecting the hearing nerve. Acoustic neuromas account for about nine percent of all brain tumors, and generally affect females of middle age.
Symptoms
You may have one or several of these symptoms, and they may be mild to severe, depending upon the location and size of your tumor.
 Loss of hearing in one ear
Buzzing or ringing in the ear
Facial paralysis
Loss of facial sensation
Difficulty swallowing
Impaired eye movement
Taste disturbances
Unsteadiness
Testing
The first step in testing involves routine auditory tests to indicate general hearing loss and a reduced ability to understand what is being said, possibly followed by:
CT (Computed Tomography) scan
This is a combination of an X-ray device and a computer. X-rays are taken of the brain, and this information is fed into a computer which transforms the data into a picture. In some cases, the patient is injected with a special dye to make abnormal tissue more evident.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
This procedure uses a tunnel-shaped piece of equipment that contains a magnetic field and radio energy; no x-rays are involved. Magnetic signals are fed into a computer which assembles a picture. Because the MRI ignores bone which can obstruct CT images, this device provides a clearer picture of tumors located near the bone, and can provide a wider variety of image angles. It can detect edema (swelling), but has difficulty distinguishing edema from a tumor. MRI imaging takes longer than a CT scan, and is very noisy. Patients with cardiac monitors, pacemakers or surgical clips cannot take an MRI because of conflict with the magnetic fields.
Auditory brain stem response test
This provides information on the passage of sound along the path from the ear to the brain, by playing tones and sounds at different frequencies which the patient identifies.
Treatment
Because acoustic neuromas grow slowly, in some cases treatment may not be necessary. Instead, the doctor will examine you over time, and treat the tumor only if it increases in size and/or causes hearing deterioration or other problems.
Surgical
The most common and effective treatment is partial or complete microsurgical removal of the tumor. There are several surgical approaches, and your doctor will discuss the method that is best for you. Generally speaking, patients can expect to remain in the hospital from four to seven days and should allow four to six weeks for recovery.
Non-surgical
Stereotactic radiosurgery may be appropriate for patients who may also benefit from radiation, either conventional or focused (e.g., proton beam radiation which uses a finely tuned laser called a 'gamma knife'). This treatment arrests tumor growth or may cause it to shrink, but will not remove the tumor entirely. For this reason, follow-up examinations (including periodic MRIs) and observation are important to make sure the tumor remains under control. Radiosurgery is less expensive than microsurgery, and can be conducted on an outpatient basis. Many patients can return home a few hours after treatment and resume their normal activities with a minimum of side effects.
Support Groups/Resources
Many patients and families find great comfort and support in talking with other patients, families and caregivers who have had (or are having) similar experiences. Support group meetings are free of charge, and are facilitated by a trained peer or qualified professional. For more information, or to find a support group nearest you, contact the Acoustic Neuroma Association at 1-877-200-8211.
.
|
|