ANA Discussion Forum
Watch and Wait => For those in the 'watch and wait' status => Topic started by: And147159 on October 14, 2025, 01:03:59 PM
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Hi
I am 54 YO now and was diagnosed with VS (6mmx8mmx5mm) in March 2024 with a hearing loss and tinnitus. Follow-up MRI in Nov 2025, and size is (6mmx9mmx5mm), and again in Oct 2025, and size is (7mmx12mmx5mm). My doctor says it is a baby size, but he is pushing to get treatment (mostly radiation). Not sure what to do.
My question is, if it's a baby size and grows slowly, then why to rush for the treatment? Hearing is deteriorating, and tinnitus is not bothersome. I have another appointment for a second opinion in a month.
Can someone advise on a better approach?
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Hello and welcome,
I was like you had a rather small tumor, hearing loss, tinnitus and a little older when it was discovered. I stayed in the watch and wait for several years. When it grew a little I made the decision to treat it. Not that my symptoms changed from the growth it was that I did not want further issues (balance). These are all personal decisions and that was mine. I could have stayed in the watch. My ENT was fine with not doing anything. However when I decided to treat it he is a surgeon hence the push for surgery. After doing research I choose radiation as the best path for me. (If you want the research please email me dan4att@gmail.com).
VS are interesting as the patient makes some of the major decision. When to treat it. How to treat it (surgery/radiation). The best advice I received from a Doctor in the research is, "No decision is bad, make the decision you are comfortable with and more forward, do not second guess yourself."
Good luck on your decision journey,
Dan
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I fully understand your hesitation to do anything, and the decision is totally yours, but that being said, my opinion would be to go out of watch and wait and get something done. It is growing and one thing for sure is that the bigger it gets, the more likely you are to develop additional symptoms that may or may not be permanent. Personally, I went with the surgery. I felt it was the right decision for me and I still do. I am 5 months post op now and feel better than I have in years. I'm not going to try and convince you one way or another, just do your research and decide which option you are most comfortable with. I wasn't comfortable with radiation, some people are. Just remember that no matter which method you consider, the doctors are going to warn you of the possible worst case scenarios. But the chances of you being in that category with a small tumor are very slim. By the way, I am 56 so I am not a young person, but I am physically active. If you do lean towards the surgery, being physically active is a huge advantage in your recovery.