DIAGNOSIS
Vestibular schwannoma is challenging to identify early because of subtle symptoms and signs that grow slowly. Hearing loss is linked to many other inner and middle ear issues.
Your doctor will examine your ears after discussing your symptoms. Your doctor could request the following tests:
TREATMENT
The vestibular schwannoma treatment may differ based on the following factors:
- Severity of symptoms
- The overall health
- The growth and size of the acoustic neuroma
Your doctor may suggest one or more of three treatments:
Radiation therapy
Numerous forms of radiation treatment are used to treat this condition:
- Proton beam therapy
- Stereotactic radiotherapy
- Stereotactic radiosurgery
Surgery
An acoustic neuroma may need surgery to remove if it is:
- Causing symptoms
- Very large
- Continuing to grow
Vestibular schwannoma surgery includes removing the tumour via a window in the skull or the inner ear. The surgery aims to remove the tumour while preserving the facial nerve. Surgical excision of the tumour might increase symptoms if the balance, hearing, or facial nerves are affected.
Monitoring
You or your doctor might decide to monitor these small tumours that aren’t developing or are slowly growing and produce little or no symptoms. If you’re over 65 or otherwise not a candidate for severe therapy, monitoring may be advised. If the tumour is developing or causing symptoms or other issues, you may require treatment.