Acoustic Neuroma Treatment

Acoustic neuroma treatment options can include surgical removal of the tumor, radiation, or watchful waiting. Together with your doctor, you can plan the acoustic neuroma treatment that is best for you. After your acoustic neuroma treatment, proper follow-up care is needed to ensure that any changes in your health are noted and treated if necessary.

Acoustic Neuromas

Acoustic Neuroma Treatment: An Overview

Making an early acoustic neuroma diagnosis is key to preventing its serious consequences. Once a diagnosis is made, acoustic neuroma treatment options include:

Surgical removal (see Acoustic Neuroma Surgery)
Radiation
Watchful waiting.

Your doctor can describe your acoustic neuroma treatment choices and the expected results of each. You and your doctor can then work together to develop a treatment plan that meets your medical needs and personal values. Choosing the most appropriate acoustic neuroma treatment is a decision that ideally involves the patient and healthcare team.

Surgery for Acoustic Neuroma Treatment

Typically, an acoustic neuroma is surgically removed. The exact type of acoustic neuroma surgery performed depends on the size of the tumor and the level of hearing in the affected ear. If the tumor is very small, hearing may be saved and accompanying acoustic neuroma symptoms may improve. As the tumor grows larger, surgical removal is more complicated because the tumor may have damaged the nerves that control facial movement, hearing, and balance -- and may also have affected other nerves and structures of the brain.

The removal of tumors affecting the hearing, balance, or facial nerves can make the patient's symptoms worse because sections of these nerves may also need to be removed with the tumor.

(Acoustic Neuroma Treatment Continued: Page 2)