ANA Discussion Forum

Pre-Treatment Options => Pre-Treatment Options => Topic started by: ghenier27 on June 16, 2009, 02:45:13 pm

Title: Sizes of Acoustic Neuromas
Post by: ghenier27 on June 16, 2009, 02:45:13 pm
Ok, I decided today that I would go and get copies of the MRI & MRI report along with the hearing tests so next week, after I talk to the doctor here .I could send this information to House Ear. I was shocked when I read the report to see that my AN is 16 mm x 7 mm. Is this considered to be large? Debi
Title: Re: Sizes of Acoustic Neuromas
Post by: CHD63 on June 16, 2009, 02:55:30 pm
Debi ......

One of the moderators will probably reply also, but to my knowledge, generally speaking an AN under 2 cm (20mm) is considered small.  Here is a link to a different way of looking at the growth of ANs:  http://anworld.com/stages/  Keep in mind that ANs do not stay spherical in shape because they form within the auditory canal ..... therefore no two ANs are exactly the same since each of our brains/canals have unique shapes/sizes.

Keep us posted on how your treatment options (which you have several) are given to you ..... and be sure to ask any and all questions of your physicians and here on this Forum.  We are here to help in any way we can.

Clarice
Title: Re: Sizes of Acoustic Neuromas
Post by: Jim Scott on June 16, 2009, 03:07:00 pm
OK, I decided today that I would go and get copies of the MRI & MRI report along with the hearing tests so next week, after I talk to the doctor here.  I could send this information to House Ear. I was shocked when I read the report to see that my AN is 16 mm x 7 mm. Is this considered to be large?

No.  Your AN is 1.6 centimeters x .0.007 centimeters, which is considered small.  For comparison, mine was 4.5 centimeters upon discovery.  However, as Clarice noted, AN tumors change shape as they grow and their exact location is easily as important as their size.  Some 'small' ANs have caused big problems for patients.  Conversely, some large ANs (such as mine) didn't cause many problems until they were very large.  Fortunately, doctors were able to debulk my large AN, then treat the remainder with FSR (radiation), all with good results.  You'll likely have options with your small AN.

Jim
Title: Re: Sizes of Acoustic Neuromas
Post by: ghenier27 on June 16, 2009, 04:51:56 pm
Thank you for easin this ole gal's mind! I got to reading the doctor MRI report and I thought
" OMG! That's HUGE!' Then all of the other information on it and started thinking -maybe I shouldn't have read this thing afterall.  :o   
Title: Re: Sizes of Acoustic Neuromas
Post by: leapyrtwins on June 16, 2009, 07:17:37 pm
1.6 cm is indeed small - and should give you both the option of surgery or radiation.

Jan
Title: Re: Sizes of Acoustic Neuromas
Post by: sgerrard on June 16, 2009, 08:43:37 pm
[No.  Your AN is 1.6 centimeters x .0.007 centimeters, which is considered small. 

Make that 1.6 cm x 0.7 cm. Still small. :)

Steve
Title: Re: Sizes of Acoustic Neuromas
Post by: ppearl214 on June 20, 2009, 07:00:40 am
correct... FYI only... 10mm = 1cm (think of 10 cents x 10 = 1 dollar)... and yes, deemed "small"

Phyl

[No.  Your AN is 1.6 centimeters x .0.007 centimeters, which is considered small. 

Make that 1.6 cm x 0.7 cm. Still small. :)

Steve
Title: Re: Sizes of Acoustic Neuromas
Post by: JohnnyDiaz on June 20, 2009, 07:34:50 pm
When they first diagnosed me the radiologist put that I had a 11cm tumor  :o . My ENT had to call and rectify the misprint. I thought I was heading for the book of world records. Thankfully you caught it early and have some options and time. God Bless....