1. < Brain Tumor

Anyone else diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, a benign brain tumor?

Posted by Tracy Lynne Daley @tracylynnedaley72, Jul 23, 2015

My name is Tracy Daley. I live in Omaha, Nebraska. My diagnosis is a jumbled mess that I am sorting out right now. Can anyone tell me if anyone in this support group has been diagnosed and/or treated for acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor affecting the acoustic nerve, which is the eighth cranial nerve in your brain? This nerve is connected to your ear. These tumors initially affect a person's balance and hearing and then other symptoms may appear. This is a very rare tumor and one out of 100,000 people and 8-9% of the intracranial tumors. If no one has heard of this tumor, I understand.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain Tumor Support Group.

amkaloha | @amkaloha | Nov 7, 2016
In reply to @katfred "Tomorrow i have appointments all day with E.N.T videonystagmogram , i guess its a mandatory testing..." + (show)
@katfred

Tomorrow i have appointments all day with E.N.T videonystagmogram , i guess its a mandatory testing before i have surgery the 23rd. If my imbalance is from my tumor, why is this testing needed? Thabk you

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I have no idea what a videonystagmogram is, so I can't answer you. Have you looked into Gamma Knife at all?

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katfred | @katfred | Nov 7, 2016

My doctor only suggested surgery

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amkaloha | @amkaloha | Nov 7, 2016

So did mine. I explored my options. Everyone has to do what she thinks best. Good luck to you.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 7, 2016
In reply to @amkaloha "When I found that I had an AN, my primary doctor insisted that I go to..." + (show)
@amkaloha

When I found that I had an AN, my primary doctor insisted that I go to Yale and have something done immediately. When I told him I found and alternative, he was not too happy I guess because this GK was so new and didn't have a history yet. He was upset with my choice to do it but after it was done and he saw how good it went and kept getting the yearly MRI reports of its shrinking, he told me he was wrong and would recommend GK to anyone who had an AN. I think because of him, I thought I had to act quickly. In hindsight I now know that these are slow growing and you don't need to act quickly. You and your doctor are doing the right thing. This way you can do your homework.

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For further reading, here is information from Mayo Clinic on the gamma knife also known as brain stereotactic radiosurgery http://mayocl.in/2egI5oM

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 7, 2016
In reply to @katfred "Tomorrow i have appointments all day with E.N.T videonystagmogram , i guess its a mandatory testing..." + (show)
@katfred

Tomorrow i have appointments all day with E.N.T videonystagmogram , i guess its a mandatory testing before i have surgery the 23rd. If my imbalance is from my tumor, why is this testing needed? Thabk you

Jump to this post

Hi Kat,
That is a very good question to ask the ENT doctor tomorrow. I wish I had an answer for you. Would you write us after tomorrow to let us know what you find out about why this test is done.

For others reading this, here is a description about Videonystagmography (VNG) from Mayo Clinic.
"This test evaluates balance function by assessing eye movement. Balance-related sensors in the inner ear are linked to muscles that control eye movement. This connection enables you to move your head while keeping your eyes focused on a point. In a VNG evaluation, warm and cool water or warm and cool air are introduced into the ear canal. Measurements of involuntary eye movements in response to this stimulation are performed using a special pair of video goggles."

Kat, it would be really informative to hear straight from the source (you) what this test is like. I hope you'll share when you're up to it.

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jrismyname | @jrismyname | Nov 22, 2016

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.

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3 replies
jrismyname | @jrismyname | Nov 22, 2016
In reply to @katfred "Thank you..i am one of the few that has vertigo all the time. My balance is..." + (show)
@katfred

Thank you..i am one of the few that has vertigo all the time. My balance is so bad that im using a cane so i dont fall or walk into walls. Unfortunately my surgery got moved to November 23rd..so in the mean time im off work and just trying to get thru feeling sick alot

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@katfred Just wanted to tell you that I reading your posts makes me realize I may need to act on a doctor's advice. Though my regular doc and I both are hesitant about rushing into gamma knife treatment (because the radiologist's report), I am understanding why the the neurologist I saw advised gamma knife. He said the small size makes it safer for surrounding tissue. I just don't want to rush into this either as it is radiation.But, it sure puts things into perspective to read about everyone and their challenges with this thing. Thank you and good luck. I hope you experience relief soon. My prayers are with you.

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amkaloha | @amkaloha | Nov 23, 2016
In reply to @jrismyname "I should do more homework on how to do this site, but hopefully I am on..." + (show)
@jrismyname

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.

Jump to this post

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.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 25, 2016
In reply to @jrismyname "I should do more homework on how to do this site, but hopefully I am on..." + (show)
@jrismyname

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.

Jump to this post

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?

REPLY
rosesareredmylove2016 | @rosesareredmylove2016 | Nov 28, 2016
In reply to @jrismyname "I should do more homework on how to do this site, but hopefully I am on..." + (show)
@jrismyname

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.

Jump to this post

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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