Acoustic neuroma is a rare, noncancerous tumor located on the main balance nerve that connects your inner ear to the brain. These masses tend to grow slowly and are highly treatable.
What Causes Acoustic Neuroma to Develop
The cause of acoustic neuromas is a faulty gene on chromosome 22. This malfunctioning gene is inherited in neurofibromatosis type 2, and the disorder can be passed down from just one parent.
Acoustic Neuroma FAQs
Diagnosed With A Tumor: What Are My Treatment Options?
If you are diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, there are a number of treatment options available to you. If the growth is small and causes no symptoms, your ENT may recommend watchful waiting with regular imaging and hearing tests every six months.
If the tumor is large, growing rapidly or causing symptoms, your doctor may want to treat it with stereotactic radiosurgery or surgery. With stereotactic radio surgery, he or she will deliver radiation to the tumor without the need for an incision. If you need surgery, it will be performed under general anesthesia and your surgeon will access the mass through an incision in the inner rear.
How Serious Is Acoustic Neuroma?
Although these tumors are noncancerous, they can pose a substantial risk to patients. Early diagnosis can prevent the mass from growing large and causing serious consequences, such as complete hearing loss, permanent facial numbness, and a buildup of fluid that may be life-threatening.