Can the AN "squeeze" the nerve even though it is not growing.

[kirracasto]

I'm on wait and watch.  Should have been diagnosed in 2010 when the hearing went out on that side.  Finally diagnosed Dec 2015.  Just had another MRI - exactly the same - no growth.  However, I was wondering if it could be causing more nerve damage (I don't have any symptoms except loss of hearing) by squeezing the nerve (ie growing in towards the nerve instead of out?

[Willbur]

I'm on wait and watch.  Should have been diagnosed in 2010 when the hearing went out on that side.  Finally diagnosed Dec 2015.  Just had another MRI - exactly the same - no growth.  However, I was wondering if it could be causing more nerve damage (I don't have any symptoms except loss of hearing) by squeezing the nerve (ie growing in towards the nerve instead of out?

Might want to ask the doc, but I doubt it. The bigger it gets the more it will impede on your facial nerve.

[ANSydney]

kirracasto, first of all congratulation on having no growth in just over a year. It's something we all wish for. How large is your tumor?

Given that your symptoms began in 2010, your chances of growth are very small ( http://acusticusneurinom.dk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/natural-history-of-vs.pdf ; this study observed no growth beyond four years after diagnosis, which I would translate to no growth beyond definite symptoms).

The tumor is most likely growing on one of the vestibular branches of the vestibulocochlear nerve. The mass effect can occur on the nerve it is growing on and any of the nerves the tumor presses against. This starts off as affecting the facial nerve and vestibulocochlear  nerve. If the tumor keeps growing it can affect other nerves (and the brainstem). There's even some research that indicates that the tumor releases toxins, so there can be nerve damage even if the tumor is not growing ( http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/856560 ).

The tried and tested best way of accelerating hearing loss is to have surgery or radiosurgery. If you want to keep your hearing for as long as possible, conservative management is the way to go. ( https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2cef/abe8e8eef1ae32cab8bcf3c71dd75f53387c.pdf ).

My current favorite quote is from Dr Michael McKenna, in the video at https://www.anausa.org/resources/videos/support-group-video-library. The quote is, “The best treatment is no treatment, if you can do it”.

[Citiview]

I recently listened to Dr. Link's webinar "Quality of Life Issues with Acoustic Neuroma"
I believe the data he presented said that for keeping hearing longer, watch and wait beat radiation and radiation beat surgery.
That was my understanding.

[ANSydney]

Citiview, the statement, "I believe the data he presented said that for keeping hearing longer, watch and wait beat radiation and radiation beat surgery" is indeed correct. However it also depends on time. Radiosurgery is certainly better than surgery on Day 1 post-treatment. But after 10 years they both have poor results.

[kirracasto]

kirracasto, first of all congratulation on having no growth in just over a year. It's something we all wish for. How large is your tumor?

Thanks, hopefully my signature will show the info.  If not, it is 15 x 11 x 11 currently

[kirracasto]

Thanks everyone - you are really encouraging!  I've been worrying so much since diagnosis, the non changed mri has lifted a huge weight.  However, as have so many others of you on the forum, whatever comes, I'll deal with it - might not like it, but I'll deal.  So appreciate this forum - gives so much info that doctors don't have time to give.

Lynn