Acoustic Neuroma – Treatment Options

World-Class Non-Invasive Cancer Treatment in Phoenix, AZ

Palo Verde Cancer Specialists is committed to helping patients throughout Glendale, Scottsdale, and the greater Phoenix, AZ area win the battle against cancer and achieve total whole-body health. We’re proud to offer world-class radiation therapy treatments from our 6 state-of-the-art cancer treatment facilities located throughout Phoenix, and we prioritize non-invasive, low-impact treatment methods wherever possible. While we treat a wide variety of cancerous conditions, we can also treat some non cancerous conditions like acoustic neuroma.

Treatment Options for Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic neuroma can vary greatly in size, location, and consequent severity from patient to patient, so the treatment option you and your cancer care team choose will depend on your own unique situation. Your cancer specialist will talk with you about your condition and your options, helping you choose a treatment that makes sense for your medical needs and your lifestyle.

Observation

Because acoustic neuroma can vary so much and often start out small and relatively benign, a common first step for treatment is to simply wait and watch. If the acoustic neuroma is small enough, it may prove benign for the rest of your life and not necessitate treatment. Even if it does require treatment down the road, acoustic neuroma tend to grow slowly, making it easy to choose the ideal opportunity for intervention.

Microsurgical Removal

Surgery can prove a highly effective option for acoustic neuroma. Because the area surrounding the facial nerve, and by extension the tumor itself, are so small, acoustic neuroma require a special form of treatment called microsurgery: the use of miniature tools and instruments to perform tiny surgical operations under a microscope. Your surgeon may elect for subtotal, near-total, or total surgical removal:

• Subtotal Removal: If removing the tumor in its entirety would threaten the function of the facial nerve or severely impair quality of life, your doctor may choose subtotal removal. This involves only removing enough of the tumor to prevent the threat of serious complications. While it can prevent any serious problems, it doesn’t preclude regrowth of the tumor, so we’ll usually opt for more complete removal when possible.

• Near-Total Removal: In some cases where total removal would cause problems but we can remove more of the tumor without danger, your doctor may opt for near-total removal. This method removes almost all of the tissue of the tumor, usually leaving behind only 1% of the mass of the tumor. This minimizes the risk of regrowth while still protecting the facial nerve.

• Total Removal: Whenever possible, we’ll opt for total removal, which involves taking the tumor out in its entirety. During this procedure, we electronically monitor the function of the auditory and the facial nerve, helping us remove the tumor while minimizing the chance of damage to the nerves.

Radiation Therapy

In some cases, we may be able to treat acoustic neuroma without the need for any invasive procedure. In radiation therapy, we use an advanced radiosurgery system  deliver high-dose radiation to the tumor with sub-millimeter accuracy, allowing us to effectively eliminate the tumor without damaging surrounding tissues. Modern technologies make today’s radiation therapy systems more effective than ever before, and because they minimize damage to surrounding cells, many radiation therapy patients experience little to no side effects.

Schedule a Consultation with Your Phoenix, AZ Cancer Treatment Center

While acoustic neuroma usually start out benign, they can grow big enough to cause serious problems for hearing and facial function. At Palo Verde Cancer Specialists, we can work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for eliminating your acoustic neuroma, helping to ensure your quality of life for years to come. Even if you’ve already been given a treatment recommendation, we are happy to provide a second opinion – and because of our access to state-of-the-art medical technology, we can often treat cases that other cancer treatment centers can. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and let’s start down the path to total, whole-body health.