Hi, Bob:
I'm glad that you found the site & the forums but I'm sorry you have a reason to be here.
Fortunately, your relatively small AN can be 'watched' (via frequent MRI scans to determine if the thing is 'growing') and/or you can undergo non-invasive radiation treatments. Time is on your side - so use it well. You'll probably have to make a decision before too long, so I strongly suggest that you begin to prepare for that day. From what I've read, hearing loss - to
some degree - is common with these buggers (I lost mine in the affected ear as the nerve was 'squashed', according to my neurosurgeon). However, the smaller the AN when removed or radiated, the better the chance of preserving hearing in that ear. Still, I wouldn't count on preserving 100% hearing in the affected ear. This is a tough thing to deal with but most AN patients do and we survive quite well with SSD (Single Sided Deafness). It's amazing how our brains and bodies compensate for a major loss. Of course, I hope this doesn't happen to you, Bob, but we have to be realistic. This is a serious condition. Treatable and non-cancerous, to be sure, but still something no one can take lightly, as I'm certain you do not.
Some of us (Jim raises his hand) when diagnosed, had a tumor too large for radiation, alone, so surgery was the only option. I had a very caring and experienced neurosurgeon who, in deference to my deep concern over possible nerve damage from surgery, suggested microsurgery to 'hollow out' the tumor and cut off it's blood supply, then to work with a radiation oncologist to 'map out' multiple, 'low-dose' FSR (
Fractionated Stereotactic Radiation) treatments (26 in all) intended to destroy the tumor's DNA and eventually kill the thing. Long story short: the surgery went very well. My surgeon employed a neurophysiologist to handle the nerve monitoring. I had no noticeable post-operative facial paralysis or other complications, aside from occasional double vision (that only lasted a few days). I was home from the hospital within 5 days and driving again within two weeks. I walked a lot and rapidly regained most of my impaired (due to the AN tumor) equilibrium. 3 months later I began my FSR treatments. They were tedious but painless and I had practically no ill effects. Later, swelling of the radiated tumor- which is normal - gave me some discomfort but nothing a few OTC Ibuprofen tablets couldn't resolve fairly quickly. My last MRI scan (June, 2007) showed the tumor is shrinking and necrosis (cell death) is clearly evident. My doctor was very pleased, as was I. This doesn't mean that anyone who has microsurgery and FSR to treat their AN will have the identical outcome, only that it was an option that worked well for me. I present it as my experience, nothing more. With your small AN tumor, radiation is probably the better option, but only you will make that determination.
I concur with the observation that individual physicians will have personal biases regarding the 'best' form of treatment for you, so your job is to find out all you can (this site is a great resource) then consult with physicians well-experienced in their field (surgery/radiation) that have familiarity dealing with AN tumors. Again, the final decision will be yours, so don't allow
any doctor - no matter how 'authoritative' he or she may be - to 'push' you into a procedure you don't feel good about, just because 'doctor said so'. You have to feel good about what you're doing and
you, not the doctor, will have to live with the consequences. They can be mild, as in my case, or severe and life-altering, as happens to some AN patients. I like to call having an acoustic neuroma 'a minefield', because that's how I see it.
I believe that a caring physician who treats AN tumors (not that many do) will honestly lay out
all of the options for you, without bias, but this doesn't always happen, unfortunately. My surgeon had no qualms about recommending surgery and radiation because he had seen great success with this approach recently and was cognizant of my concern about nerve damage and it's consequences. He took a cautious, conservative approach and it worked out splendidly for me. I really admire and respect the man (Dr. Issac Goodrich) for his compassion, caring, skill and response to my concerns. I wish all AN patients had such a physician treating them. Fortunately, there are other fine, caring, skilled physicians around the country, as posts on these forums will show. I truly hope you can find one and I know that anyone that posts here regularly will try to help you in any way possible. Stay connected with us because we care and we want to help as much as possible.
Jim
