Author Topic: Newly Diagnosed _ Middle Fossa Recommended  (Read 4543 times)

Big Easy

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Newly Diagnosed _ Middle Fossa Recommended
« on: July 13, 2015, 10:21:10 am »
54 yr old male, diagnosed with an AN a few weeks ago.  Have had some hearing loss, lots of tinnitus, and a few bouts of vertigo.  I went to see Dr Gantz at U of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics last Tuesday (7/7/15).  My tumor is 4.4mm x 3.4mm.  Although this is considered small, Dr Gantz has recommended I have middle fossa surgery to remove it.  His feeling is that anything below 1cm has a great chance for hearing preservation and why wait until the tumor grows to do something about it.  I believe he is very highly respected in this field and so I have scheduled the surgery for early September.  Anyone else on here have a small tumor removed with this approach? 

ANnIdaho

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Re: Newly Diagnosed _ Middle Fossa Recommended
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2015, 04:27:18 pm »
Hi Big Easy,

I haven't had my surgery yet but am looking at having my AN removed by middle fossa at Keck with Drs Friedman and Giannatto in September.  There are several stories of patients that have had this surgery on this site.  Just type in middle fossa in the search.  I also found some interesting patient stories on the web by googling "middle fossa patient stories".

Best of luck on your decision.

Bonnie
3/3/2015 MRI 9.2mm x 5.4mm AN discovered
Removed Middle Fossa 9/22/2015 by Dr. Friedman Keck Medcial Center. Hearing preserved! Doing great.  If you'd like more details as to surgery/recovery feel free to visit my caringbridge.org website @ http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sayonaraschwammy

Echo

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Re: Newly Diagnosed _ Middle Fossa Recommended
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2015, 06:11:49 pm »
At the age of 54 with a small AN, have you taken the time to consider Radiation or had a consult to discuss the option?  Gamma Knife has an excellent success record especially on AN's smaller than 1 cm.

Cathie
Diagnosed: June 2012, right side AN 1.8cm
June 2013: AN has grown to 2.4 cm.
Gamma Knife: Sept. 11, 2013 Toronto Western Hospital

michellef08

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Re: Newly Diagnosed _ Middle Fossa Recommended
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2015, 11:39:56 am »
Hi Big Easy,
I had Middle Fossa 2 years ago, and my tumor was also on the small side, but bigger than yours! Mine was measured at 0.9 x 0.7 x 0.6 cm originally, but then when they actually went in there, they found it was 1.4cm. I had my surgery at House Clinic in LA with Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Friedman, and they preserved my hearing completely! Let me know if you have any other questions!
~Michelle
Diagnosed Dec 2012: AN 1.4 cm with mild hearing loss and tinnitus. Surgery: Middle Fossa at House with Schwartz/Friedman on April 10, 2013. Entire tumor removed, no facial issues, no balance issues, and they preserved my hearing!! Co-leader of the Washington, DC ANA support group since 2016.

Big Easy

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Re: Newly Diagnosed _ Middle Fossa Recommended
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2015, 02:04:08 pm »
At the age of 54 with a small AN, have you taken the time to consider Radiation or had a consult to discuss the option?  Gamma Knife has an excellent success record especially on AN's smaller than 1 cm.

Cathie

The doctors at U of I hospitals are not big fans of the radiation option.  They feel there isn't enough data to support it being a long term successful option.  That combined with the fact that they do about 100-150 surgeries a year with very good success of saving hearing led them to recommend surgery right off the bat.  I know I may be being naïve, but since Dr Gantz is pretty highly regarded in this field I have decided to go with his recommendation.

PaulW

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Re: Newly Diagnosed _ Middle Fossa Recommended
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2015, 05:10:47 pm »
The Acoustic Neuroma Association recommends seeking multiple opinions.
I would strongly suggest that you need to follow this recommendation before making a decision.
Your tumor is extremely small. Smaller than many tumours left behind after AN surgery to preserve the facial and hearing nerve.
This is major surgery... It is brain surgery, the downside risk is significant.
I had a friend who died after AN surgery aged 34. Removing a 2cm tumour due to an allergic reaction to the Anaesthetic, I have someone in my AN group who suffers eye, facial and taste issues, for the removal of a tumour 10mm. The surgeon worked at House, and operates on 50 ANs per year, so very experienced surgeon.  Many surgeries work out just fine, but rolling the dice for a tumour that small... Is it worth the risk.

I was going to ad the line " I am not trying to scare you but".   
Then I thought about it.... Yes I am trying to scare you into making a fully informed decision. If the surgery does go wrong you could regret the decision for life, especially if you have not spoken to to experts on radiation, or the pros and cons of Watch and Wait.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2015, 05:20:24 pm by PaulW »
10x5x5mm AN
Sudden Partial hearing loss 5/28/10
Diagnosed 7/4/10
CK 7/27/10
2/21/11 Swelling 13x6x7mm
10/16/11 Hearing returned, balance improved. Feel totally back to normal most days
3/1/12 Sudden Hearing loss, steroids, hearing back.
9/16/13 Life is just like before my AN. ALL Good!

mcrue

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Re: Newly Diagnosed _ Middle Fossa Recommended
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2015, 09:42:03 am »
I would certainly consult for FREE over the phone with at least Dr. Schwartz from the House Clinic in Los Angeles who performs Gamma Knife and traditional microsurgery. Also Dr. Steven Chang from Stanford, California who does Cyber Knife and Dr. Lundsford in Pittsburgh, PA who does Gamma Knife.

Those are 3 world-famous specialists who will review your MRI and records for FREE.

Best wishes in your decision-making process.
« Last Edit: August 05, 2015, 09:55:07 am by mcrue »
5/19/2015 - 40% sudden hearing loss + tinnitus right ear

6/26/2015 - AN diagnosed by MRI - 14mm x 7mm + 3mm extension

8/26/2015 - WIDEX "ZEN" hearing aid for my catastrophic tinnitus

12/15/2015: 18mm x 9mm + 9mm extension (5mm AGGRESSIVE GROWTH in 5 months)

3/03/2016:   Gamma Knife - Dr. Sheehan