Acoustic Neuroma is a rare non-cancerous tumor. It grows slowly from an overproduction of Schwann cells and is also called a vestibular schwannoma. The tumor then presses on the hearing and balance nerves in the inner ear. Schwann cells normally wrap around and support nerve fibers. Pressure from the tumor can cause hearing loss, ringing in the ear, and unsteadiness. The tumor may just require monitoring.
When treatment is needed, it may include radiation or surgical removal.
Click Here to see Dr. Mark Pomper explain why CyberKnife Radiation therapy is often the best, easiest, quickest & safest non-invasive treatment choice for Acoustic Neuromas.
Nationwide, thousands of patients suffering from this condition have been treated using CyberKnife Radiation Therapy while maintaining quality of life.
The CyberKnife uses radiation to ablate the tumors and stop them from growing, while preserving facial nerve function and possibly preserving hearing. The pinpoint accuracy of CyberKnife also eliminates damage to surrounding healthy tissue, which can be a problem with standard radiation.
Despite its name, CyberKnife is not a knife at all. Also known as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), this cutting-edge radiation technology is completely non-invasive. There’s no cutting, incision, blood, anesthesia, or pain.
Few, if any, side effects occur, and there is no recovery time. You can resume your normal activities immediately following treatment. Each treatment typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes and is done on an outpatient basis. Patients typically require only one to five treatments.
If the tumors come back, we can often ablate them again.
Unlike other radiosurgery systems – such as the Gamma Knife – the CyberKnife System does not require patients to be fitted with a rigid and invasive head frame. In the setup stage, the radiation therapist will create a soft mesh mask that is custom-fitted to the patient’s face.
This comfortable and non-invasive mask helps the patient keep his or her head and neck still during treatment. While wearing the mask, a CT scan will be performed. The CT data then will be used by the CyberKnife team to determine the exact size, shape, and location of the tumor.
The medical team will determine the area that must be targeted by radiation and the radiation dose. They also will identify critical structures where radiation should be minimized. The CyberKnife will move slowly around you during treatment. You won’t feel a thing; it’s completely pain free.
Patients dress comfortably in their own clothes and can bring music to listen to during the treatment. Nothing will be required of the patient during the treatment, except to relax. In fact, patients often sleep through the treatment.
After completing the CyberKnife treatment, patients will schedule follow-up appointments.
Keep in mind that the tumor will not suddenly disappear. In fact, it could take several weeks or longer to determine the effectiveness of the CyberKnife treatment. Response to treatment varies from patient to patient.
Clinical experience has shown that most patients respond very well to CyberKnife treatments. CyberKnife radiosurgery has been used for more than two decades with extremely high rates of tumor control and most patients are good candidates for it.
Call the Cyberknife Center of Miami for more information 305-279-2900 and click here to go to our Acoustic Neuroma website page to set up a consultation or talk to our CyberKnife and Acoustic Neuroma experts.
You can also learn more at the Acoustic Neuroma Association’s website.