Acoustic Neuroma: Auditory symptoms are overwhelming

I am going through Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Honestly I am not sure on what type of surgery was discussed just a microsurgical resection. With the smaller size, I didn’t want to make any decisions right away so wanted to wait and have repeat MRI in 6 months. At that time had grown but still fairly small. I am kinda the one step at a time so I don’t feel too overwhelmed. Basically 1st appt was results, 2nd has it grown or not and if it has how quickly, next MRI will be when I ask more questions about surgery and what I can expect moving forward.

Which clinic are you talking to and what kind of surgery are they proposing?

@kprice45, hard to say which is the best treatment for you. But this is a good starting point to make a list of questions for your upcoming appointment with the oncologist. I would ask questions like:

- What is the best treatment option for me?
- What are the risks, potential side effects, and expected outcomes for each type of treatment?
- What are the next steps?

Kprice45, what questions do you have on your list?

On my 6 month MRI, mine did grow. I will have another MRI in July and see how much it has grown this time. Since I still have hearing in my left ear and it is fairly small, my neurosurgeon suggested I wait but was good with whatever option I decided. My AN is farther from brain (which I thought would be good but apparently not). I will lose hearing immediately after surgery. These are the reasons why I have decided to wait. They never mentioned it would stop growing. It’s just a matter of how big do I let it get before removal. Also, he did say that your brain can “adjust” slightly to your new normal. Last summer my symptoms did seem to get a little better for a few months. Symptoms started back again in oct and have gotten worse in the last month again.

Thanks. That all sounds pretty consistent with what we have heard. Just a little curious about the "wait and watch". I get that there is no great urgency for you to have the surgery. At the same time, "wait and watch" makes it sound like it might cease to be a problem for you. Is that what you have been told? We have heard that these ANs can stop growing but not that your current symptoms might go away.

I was diagnosed in May with AN. Repeat MRI oct and has grown but still small so on wait and watch. I been experiencing a lot more tinnitus and balance/dizziness in the last month. I feel like at times it is harder to walk. Like I am drunk or something! My hearing is still pretty good. My neurosurgeon said symptoms are totally unrelated to size of tumor you have. Could have a large AN with no symptoms or a small one with a lot of symptoms. When time comes, I will have surgery. I was informed that if you have radiation and surgery down the road is needed that it will be harder to do.
Good luck!

1999 had a very large AN removed that was pressing on my brain stem.

Just listened to a podcast about the options, etc. Very informative.
AcousticNeuroma Association through Mayo Clinic.

I was diagnosed with a 1.5 centimeter vestibular tumor and was wondering what is the best treatment. Radiation or surgery. Meet with oncologist March 3rd

Thank you. I have a constant ringing/humming that became really noticeable this past February. I also have hearing loss on the left side. I did get new hearing aids which help with the loss, not the tinnitus (not yet). Recommended to wait and monitor at this point.