Discover how Gamma Knife offers a precise, non-invasive treatment for acoustic neuroma, reducing risks and recovery time while preserving healthy tissue.
An acoustic neuroma (also called vestibular schwannoma) is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour that develops on the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. This nerve (which is referred to as the acoustic or vestibulocochlear nerve) is responsible for hearing and balance, and it also runs close to the main nerve that controls facial movement.
Research is ongoing into the causes of acoustic neuroma, as it is not fully understood. They most commonly affect adults between the ages of 40 and 60, although they can affect people of all ages.
In rare cases, NF2-related schwannomatosis may be diagnosed, which is a genetic condition. This tends to affect younger people, and the tumours can develop on both sides of the head.
Acoustic neuromas tend to grow slowly, and may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages, but over time they can interfere with hearing and balance. This can develop into hearing loss, usually in one ear rather than both. The most common symptoms include the following:
Tumours that are pressing on the nerves that control facial movement may also cause numbness, weakness, pain or a tingling sensation on one side of the face.
An acoustic neuroma that has grown to a large size may also cause persistent headaches, episodes of blurred or double vision; problems with coordination on one side of the body; and difficulty swallowing or voice changes.
Anyone who is concerned about any of these symptoms should visit their doctor, who may refer the individual for further investigation. This might include hearing tests, and an MRI or CT scan to obtain clear images of the inside of the skull.
Although acoustic neuromas are non-cancerous, they can affect quality of life and may impact your ability to drive, carry out your job, or socialise. Larger acoustic neuromas can also lead to a potentially fatal build up of fluids on the brain. Therefore it’s essential that the tumour is diagnosed and a treatment plan is put in place.
The type of treatment will depend on the size and location of the tumour; how the symptoms are impacting the patient; and their age and general state of health. Smaller tumours may be actively monitored for signs of further growth rather than directly treated. This will involve having regular brain scans to build an accurate picture of the tumour over time.
The patient may also have regular hearing tests to check if the symptoms are worsening. Some tumours may never require treatment, because they do not grow any larger.
If treatment is necessary, the two main options are surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Larger tumours are more likely to need open brain surgery to remove the tumour. Smaller tumours or patients who are unable to undergo open surgery can be treated with SRS.
In some cases, SRS may be carried out following open surgery to treat parts of the tumour that were not able to be removed.
Gamma Knife surgery is an advanced form of SRS that uses highly focused radiation beams to target the tumour while avoiding the surrounding healthy brain tissue. This reduces the risk of side effects, and in many cases the treatment can be delivered in a single session.
The procedure typically lasts between 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the size of the area being targeted. Most patients are able to return home on the same day. Compared to traditional surgery, Gamma Knife has several advantages, including the following:
Most patients can be successfully treated with surgery or SRS (if required). Usually, regular MRI scans will be necessary to check if the tumour is regrowing. If symptoms such as hearing loss or tinnitus persist, these may require further treatment.
If you’re concerned about your health and want to discuss matters with one of our consultants, get in touch with Mr Neil Kitchen, who will be able to help you further.
Centres of Excellence for Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatment of complex Brain Tumours
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