What You Need to Know About Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

What You Need to Know About Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Julie Scott, DNP
Julie Scott, DNP
Acoustic neuroma | cancerGO

What is Acoustic neuroma?

Acoustic neuroma, also known as vestibular schwannoma, is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor that develops on the vestibular nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brain.

Symptoms

The signs, diagnosis, and treatment of acoustic neuroma vary depending on the size and location of the tumor.

The most common signs of acoustic neuroma include:

  • hearing loss
  • ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
  • balance problems
  • facial weakness
  • facial numbness
  • headaches
  • dizziness

These symptoms may develop gradually over time and may be experienced on only one side of the body. As the tumor grows, symptoms may become more severe.

Diagnosis

Early diagnosis and treatment prevent complications and preserve hearing and balance function.

Diagnosing acoustic neuroma is often done through imaging tests. An MRI is the most commonly used imaging test for detecting acoustic neuromas, as it can provide detailed images of the inner ear and brain.

Treatment

Treatment options for acoustic neuroma depend on the size and location of the tumor, as well as the patient’s age, overall health, and symptoms. Small tumors not causing significant symptoms may be monitored closely with regular imaging and hearing tests without needing immediate treatment.

Larger tumors or those causing significant symptoms may require treatment such as surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of both.

Surgery, also known as microsurgery, is the most common treatment for acoustic neuroma. Surgery aims to remove the tumor while preserving as much normal tissue as possible. Surgery can be done through several different approaches.

Radiation therapy, also known as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), uses focused beams of radiation to kill the cancer cells in the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This non-invasive treatment option is typically reserved for patients who are not good candidates for surgery or those who prefer a less invasive option.

Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) is a slow-growing tumor that develops on the main nerve from your inner ear to your brain. While vestibular schwannomas are usually noncancerous, they can cause serious symptoms, such as hearing loss, balance problems, and tinnitus. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor so they can rule out other potential causes and provide the proper treatment. Treatment options for acoustic neuroma include observation, surgery, radiation therapy, and targeted drug therapy.

No matter what treatment option you choose, working with a team of experienced medical professionals is important to ensure the best possible outcome.

Julie Scott, DNP
Julie Scott, DNP
Julie is an oncology certified Oncology Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of medical oncology experience. In addition to her clinical work, she is an accomplished healthcare writer providing oncology content for various publications. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member for a Master's nursing program and a chair for Doctoral nursing students.

Download our
mobile app

Share this post
You may also like
Articles
The future of early detection- Liquid biopsy
November 7, 2022

Cancer is a frightening disease that impacts many people worldwide, a molecular disorder characterized by the corruption of genetic information at the cellular level, with consequences resulting in changes to critical proteins and molecular circuits. While many treatment options are available, early detection is key to successful treatment; liquid biopsies…

Vino Cherian

administrator

Articles
Polycythemia vera
March 1, 2023

What is Polycythemia vera? Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare type of blood cancer that causes an overproduction of red blood cells in the bone marrow. This results in the thickening of the blood, which can lead to an increased risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. PV is…

Julie Scott, DNP

author

Articles
Retinoblastoma – The Rare Eye Cancer
January 23, 2023

What is Retinoblastoma? Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer that develops in the retina. The retina is the part of the eye that converts light into signals the brain uses to see. It is most commonly diagnosed in children under the age of 5, but can also occur…

Julie Scott, DNP

author

cancerGO gives you access to a community

Where are people to listen, answer questions, share information, and offer valuable and timely advice