Acoustic Neuroma
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Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Do not limit your treatment options only to the nearest hospital.
We offer the most effective, quick and affordable treatment for acoustic neuroma,
thanks to the world’s largest hospital network.
An acoustic neuroma is a type of non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour. It’s also known as a vestibular schwannoma. A benign brain tumour is a growth in the brain that usually grows slowly over many years and does not spread to other parts of the body.
Acoustic neuromas grow on the nerve used for hearing and balance, which can cause problems such as hearing loss and unsteadiness. They can sometimes be serious if they become very large, but most are picked up and treated before they reach this stage.
Acoustic neuromas tend to affect adults aged 30 to 60 and usually have no obvious cause, although a small number of cases are the result of a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2).
Complete Recovery
No Hidden Fees
No Waiting Lists
Leading Surgeons
Private treatment in our hospital network allows you skip waiting lists while at the same time reducing the costs treatment considerably, up to 50% cheaper, in countries that are just a short flight from home. The countries listed below make excellent choices with modern hospitals and well-trained English speaking surgeons.
Our medical consultants will advise you on the best choice for your acoustic neuroma in one of our leading hospitals. We will evaluate your current condition, expectations and other related factors, and offer you the most suitable option, respecting your health and the individual needs of your body and lifestyle. Your health is unique and so should be your solution.
- Berlin
- Zurich
- Vienna
- Paris
- Madrid
- Milan
- Warsaw
- Istanbul
Treatment of Acoustic Neuroma
Your healthcare provider will discuss your treatment options with you. Your treatment plan will depend on:
- Tumor size and location.
- Your age and overall health.
- Degree of damage to your hearing and balance nerves.
Treatment options include:
- Observation: If the tumor is small, not growing and not causing any symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend monitoring the tumor but not actively treating it. You will have regular MRI scans to see if the tumor is growing. If it does grow or cause symptoms, your provider can quickly switch to active treatment.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery: For small and medium tumors, this approach may stop tumor growth. You receive a single high dose of targeted radiation therapy, delivered directly to the tumor. This approach limits the amount of radiation that affects surrounding, healthy tissues. You will need ongoing scans during treatment to watch for any tumor growth.
- Microsurgery: This type of surgery uses instruments designed to operate on small, delicate areas. The goal is to remove as much of the acoustic neuroma as possible while preserving your facial nerve function. Surgery is the only treatment option that permanently removes the tumor. In some cases, surgeons can preserve your hearing, though not always. The smaller the tumor, the more likely it can be removed and hearing preserved.
- Vestibular rehabilitation therapy: Sometimes, surgery involves removing parts of nerves that control balance. Vestibular rehabilitation is therapy that helps you compensate for losing those nerves and the functions they manage.
Complications of Acoustic Neuroma
Complications
Types
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Complications
An acoustic neuroma is usually benign, but it can still be fatal if left untreated. This is because the tumour will keep growing. Once it runs out of space inside the small canal that links the inner ear to the brain, it begins to grow into the skull cavity.
The tissue at the base of the brain, including a structure called the brain stem, may become squashed by the growing tumour. This can cause a build-up of fluid know as cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). The brain stem is responsible for regulating important bodily functions, including consciousness, heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and swallowing.
Types
There are two types of acoustic neuromas:
- Sporadic, unilateral acoustic neuromas. These tumors only grow on one side of the body in 95% of patients. They occur from sporadic (sudden), nonhereditary mutations. These unilateral acoustic neuromas may develop at any age, but most commonly occur in people between the ages of 30 and 60.
- Genetic, bilateral acoustic neuromas. Acoustic neuromas on both sides of the body only occur in people who have the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 2, a mutation in chromosome 22 that affects the gene responsible for production of Schwann cells. These patients often have other schwannoma-like tumors throughout the body, and treatments for these tumors are often different from the treatment for unilateral tumors.
Causes
In most cases of acoustic neuromas, the underlying cellular cause can be attributed to the failure of a regulatory gene, often referred to as a “governor” gene, to effectively inhibit the proliferation of Schwann cells. Schwann cells play a crucial role in insulating nerve fibers. When this inhibition mechanism falters, these cells begin to overmultiply, ultimately giving rise to the formation of acoustic neuromas.
As for environmental factors, the only firmly established link to an increased risk of developing acoustic neuromas is exposure to radiation targeting the head. There is currently no compelling evidence to suggest any association between the use of cell phones and the onset of these tumors.
It’s worth noting that acoustic neuroma is typically not considered a hereditary condition. However, approximately five percent of cases are connected to a genetic disorder known as neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). In individuals with NF2, bilateral vestibular tumors are common, often accompanied by the presence of other tumors within the brain and/or spinal cord. The majority of acoustic neuromas, though, occur sporadically and are not tied to hereditary factors.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is hearing loss in one ear (unilateral). This symptom happens to about 90% of people who have an acoustic neuroma.
Other symptoms that may occur in the early stages include:
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
- Loss of balance.
- Sensation that you or your environment is moving (vertigo).
As the tumor grows, you may have other symptoms, including:
- Blurry or double vision.
- Facial numbness, weakness, spasms, pain, or paralysis.
- Taste changes.
- Headaches.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Swallowing difficulty.
Symptoms of acoustic neuromas can mimic symptoms of other ear problems. This similarity makes it challenging to diagnose an acoustic neuroma. Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice any hearing changes.
Diagnosis
The earlier the tumour is detected and treated, the greater the chance of a full recovery. Acoustic neuroma can be diagnosed using a variety of tests, including:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan – this is a specialised x-ray that takes three-dimensional pictures of the inner ear. However, small tumours may be missed by this method.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan – pictures of the inner ear are taken, using radio waves in a strong magnetic field instead of x-rays. MRI scans can usually detect smaller acoustic neuromas than CT scans. A dye may be injected to further highlight the tissues under investigation.
