How are acoustic neuromas treated?
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Small tumors that cause few to no symptoms may be left untreated. Instead, they may be monitored by regular hearing tests and scans. Some tumors can be treated by radiosurgery, which uses radiation to prevent a tumor from growing. This option works well on tumors that can't be removed because of the risk of damage to other nerves or brain tissue. Other tumors may be partially or fully removed through surgery.
Small tumors that cause few to no symptoms may be left untreated. Instead, they may be monitored by regular hearing tests and scans. Some tumors can be treated by radiosurgery, which uses radiation to prevent a tumor from growing. This option... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:The treatment for acoustic neuromas depends on many factors, including:
- The size of the tumor
- The patient’s age
- The patient’s general health and preferences
Surgery is the most common treatment for an acoustic neuroma at Johns Hopkins. Neurosurgeons and neuro-otologists can safely and completely remove most acoustic neuromas.
For patients with smaller acoustic neuromas, surgery and radiation therapy are equally effective, though small tumors that do not pose a risk to brain function and do not produce symptoms may be watched with follow-up MRI scans.
Doctors at Johns Hopkins generally recommend radiation therapy to treat older patients; however, tumor control can only be ensured with periodic scans.
The treatment for acoustic neuromas depends on many factors, including:- The size of the tumor - The patient’s age- The patient’s general health and preferencesSurgery is the most common treatment for an acoustic neuroma at Johns... More
