Acoustic Neuroma – Types & Stages

Expert Cancer Treatment in Payson, AZ

At Palo Verde Cancer Specialists, we’re proud to provide world-class cancer treatment services to patients in Glendale, Scottsdale, Payson, and the greater Phoenix area – but as a state-of-the-art radiation oncology clinic, we can treat more than purely cancerous conditions. Our treatment team is skilled and experienced in using cutting-edge treatment technologies like CyberKnife to treat cancers throughout the body as well as other conditions like acoustic neuroma, providing a convenient, noninvasive treatment solution for our patients. If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, we can help.

About Acoustic Neuroma

While acoustic neuromas are tumors, they aren’t cancerous – instead, they’re considered a benign tumor. It’s important to note that benign is simply a medical term meaning the tumor doesn’t contain cancerous cells and won’t grow aggressively or spread like a cancerous tumor. Just because a tumor is benign doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous.

While acoustic neuromas grow slowly, they can cause serious, even life-threatening problems if left untreated. As the tumor grows in size, it places pressure on the auditory nerve, causing hearing loss, tinnitus, and loss of balance. As the tumor continues to grow, it can put pressure directly on the brain, potentially threatening vital functions and causing serious problems.

Stages of Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic neuromas are staged according to the size of the tumor, with the stage increasing as the tumor grows. Stages of acoustic neuroma run as follows:

• Stage I: The tumor ranges from 0 to 10mm across. At this stage, initial symptoms of hearing loss and tinnitus can begin.
• Stage II: The tumor is 10 to 20mm across. The tumor has started to enter the cranial cavity but isn’t pushing on the brain or brain stem yet.
• Stage III: The tumor is 20 to 35mm across. The tumor may be in contact with the brain, but it hasn’t started to put pressure on the brain. The tumor is large enough now that it may also compress other facial nerves like the trigeminal nerve, potentially causing a series of symptoms like loss of sensation or localized paralysis.
• Stage IV: The tumor is larger than 35mm across. At this point, the tumor may be compressing the brain, cerebellum or brain stem. This may cause a variety of symptoms ranging from difficulty walking to coma, and can eventually lead to death if left untreated.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Scottsdale & Glendale, AZ Cancer Specialists

While acoustic neuromas begin as relatively mild conditions, they can advance to become very serious without treatment – but Palo Verde Cancer Specialists can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at one of our cancer treatment centers in Glendale, Scottsdale, or Payson, AZ. We’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan using advanced technology like CyberKnife, helping to treat your acoustic neuroma in the most convenient way possible.