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Anyone else diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, a benign brain tumor?
Brain Tumor | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (511)Comment receiving replies
I should do more homework on how to do this site, but hopefully I am on the right path. I am symptom free, so how did they find my acoustic neuroma? In 2011, I had an unrelated severe headache, had an MRI (w/o contrast as I waived it), and it showed a 4mm or so possible menegioma. My blood test ended up revealing a parathyroid adenoma (too much calcium in blood) which was removed that year at MD Anderson by an awesome doctor. I got a hearing test, as advised after MRI, and had no problems. I had not idea I should be monitoring it. Fast forward to August of this year. I had a physical, and my doctor advised me to monitor it, and sent me for an MRI with and w/o contrast, and schwannoma/acoustic neuroma was neurologist diagnosis. What I didn't expect was the advice of gamma knife. Doc said my tumor was small enough to do it now, but if it grows, the options are fewer. I will see a radiology oncologist next month for further info. Of course it concerns me. I have decent health for a 58-year-old. I don't take any meds and am trying to stay clear of ever creeping up BP. Is gamma knife the way to go? I have heard of proton therapy, and MD Anderson is close by. I don't know the major difference, and if I am even a candidate. I know I am lucky this neuroma was discovered before I had balance and hearing problems. Reading all the posts made me count my blessings on how this unfolded and the options I have. I guess I am looking for advice, information, and experiences. I have read a few already. Thanks for your time.
Replies to "I should do more homework on how to do this site, but hopefully I am on..."
Welcome @jrismyname. You posted to Connect perfectly. If you'd like a few "how to" tips, please visit this page https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/
I'm glad that you've connected with @amkaloha already and got a first-hand account of the Gamma knife. Keep in mind that Gamma Knife is a brand name, as is Cyberknife. This type of treatment is called stereotactic radiosurgery. It’s also known as radiosurgery, stereotactic ablative surgery (SABR) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).
Here's some further reading and videos that you might find useful:
Stereotactic radiosurgery http://mayocl.in/2gv6HYR
Proton Beam Therapy program http://mayocl.in/2fhZ7Do
You're lucky that you live near MD Anderson and that they offer both options. Did your doctor mention that you were a candidate for either treatment?
Hi: jrismyname: I had the same thing happen too me sorta.. Id had inner ear infections since I was a small child. Prior to my brain surgery in 2014 I had inner ear infections for 9 years and they were always treated with antibiotics., the ear infections went away, but always came back. I had NO headaches, NO eye problems, No hearing problems or imbalance issues before my surgery. So just having a headache can be beneficial as far as finding a Brain tumor I guess….<br> There are those of us who are symptom free when doctors diagnose for an illness.
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I can understand your confusion. When I had mine in 1997 they did not have proton therapy. I think I would have looked into it though. In Gamma Knife they attach a 'halo bracket' onto your head. They use screws and they go into your skull bone. Sounds awful but they give you a local anesthetic and it really doesn't hurt. It's weird walking around with this thing attached to your head though! They use it to calculate where the radiation should go to reach the tumor and avoid the rest of your brain area. If you don't like the idea of that, I think proton therapy just uses a cap that is not attached to your head. I was 57 when I had this done, so we are/were close in age. I am now 76 and the last time I had an MRI (about 2 years ago), it had shrunk a little more. So GK really does work. Good luck to you. I would be more than happy to answer any other questions you might have. Happy Thanksgiving to you.