Acoustic Neuroma: Auditory symptoms are overwhelming

Posted by bobbimck @bobbimck, Oct 3, 2024

Was diagnosed in June 2024. The auditory symptoms are overwhelming. I would be grateful to read others experiences and advice. Thanks.

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@kprice45

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

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@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?

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@clk09

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.

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

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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.

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Okay. You are in good hands. I would just make sure to ask about the option to do this type of surgery. This is from the UC San Diego clinic website.

The middle cranial fossa approach involves an incision above the ear. The internal auditory canal is approached from above and an experienced surgeon can expose the tumor without compromising the structures of the inner ear. This procedure is reserved for patients with useful hearing and tumors smaller than 1.7 centimeters. This technique offers the highest likelihood of long-term hearing preservation.

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