Acoustic Neuroma

Treatment

At Mayo Clinic, an experienced, coordinated team of doctors trained in ear, nose and throat conditions (otorhinolaryngologists), doctors trained in nervous system conditions (neurologists), doctors trained in ear diseases (otologists), surgeons trained in ear disorders (neurotologists), surgeons trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurosurgeons), doctors trained in radiation therapy (radiation oncologists) and doctors trained in brain and nervous system tumor treatment (neuro-oncologists) work together to provide your care.

Your treatment team will work with you to determine the most appropriate treatment, based on several factors, including:

• Your age, overall health and medical history
• The size and location of your tumor
• Information obtained from imaging tests or scans
• Your tolerance for specific procedures or therapies
• Your opinion or preference

Your treatment may include several options.

• Observation. If your tumor is small and slow growing, your doctor may carefully observe the growth rate of your tumor over time. You may not need additional treatment unless your tumor is growing or affecting your hearing. You'll have regular follow-up appointments and testing.
• Surgery. A surgeon may partially or completely remove your tumor if the tumor is large or affecting facial weakness, hearing loss or other problems. A surgeon may remove the tumor through your inner ear or through an incision in your skull. Removal of a tumor may preserve your hearing and facial nerve function. However, surgery risks include headaches, hearing loss, dizziness, facial weakness and other complications. Sometimes you may need additional surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery to treat remaining tumor tissue.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery. Stereotactic radiosurgery, including Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, precisely delivers radiation to a tumor. Stereotactic radiosurgery is designed to stop tumor growth. People who have stereotactic radiosurgery have regular follow-up appointments to check for any signs of tumor growth.