NEWBIE

[grammyslim]

Somewhere none of us want to be - part of something we could do without... really just realized this is a brain tumor not a tumor in the ear. . .

So one day you can't hear people talking to you on the phone so you switch ears and it's fine.
Then you go to the ENT and have hearing test - hearing loss not enough to treat - still not hearing on the phone - 13 months later go back to Dr. cause husband is complaining again about having to repeat himself -
(sometimes I just ignore him) having another hearing test significant HEAR LOSS - ENT sends you for MRI calls you with the results before you get home from her office - you have a benign tumor and should see a Specialist - mine is 1.4cm - went to see Specialist but didn't have the right questions so did not get the right answers - it's spring break here so I don't see him again until the 20th after some balance testing.

Some insight if possible:
Is 1.4 cm considered big?  or would it be a wait and see size?
At what point do the other issues begin?
I have read that age plays a part in treatment - but it doesn't really say what the age limit is for radiation.
so any information anybody wants to contribute would be appreciated.

[CHD63]

Hi grammyslim and welcome to this forum .....

I assume from your user name that you must be a grandmother ..... so am I.   

If you have not already done so, send for the free ANA materials and they will answer many of your questions.  See:  http://www.anausa.org/index.php/contact-us/free-ana-information-packet

1.4 cm is generally considered small to medium in size.  Keep in mind that size is not the only determiner of whether to treat (and how).  The specific location it is growing and your symptoms are equally important considerations.

I am not a doctor, but from my own journey and research I have learned the following:  every AN patient is unique in how the symptoms progress and which one is the most concerning.  If the AN is closer to the cochlea, hearing loss quickly becomes an issue.  If it is encroaching on the brainstem (out of the IAC), then action for treatment is more urgent.  If a patient has facial nerve symptoms, action is urgent.

With the older radiation machines, much larger doses of radiation were given than in today's world.  It has largely been debunked that radiation is only for older patients.

At 1.4 cm, you may have all three options open to you ..... watch and wait with frequent follow-up MRIs, radiation (Cyberknife, Gamma Knife, or FSR), or surgical removal (translab, middle fossa, or retrosigmoid approaches).  Much depends on the location, your symptoms, and your personal comfort level.

Best thoughts.

Clarice

[jaylogs]

Grammyslim...first of all, welcome to our little club.  I am sorry you had to find us like this, but if you poke around and check out the posts on here you'll see that there are a lot of great people on here willing to help you out.  We are not doctors, but we have walked in your shoes so we can help you relate.  One common thing you will find on here as you explore is that everyone's experience is unique.  The one thing I would encourage you to do is visit the home page of this website (www.anausa.org) and if you haven't already, click on the link that says "New Acoustic Neuroma Patients Click Here".  From there you have an option of requesting a free information packet that has TONS of good information in it.  Please continue to ask questions on here though...there is no such thing as a stupid question here!  Take care and good luck!
Jay

[Suu]

Hi Grammyslim from me too.
Clarice and Jay have just about said it all so I'll just welcome you with open arms and read all about the next few years of your life on here.  This site is addictive! It's full of all manna of hints and tips on how to handle the time ahead. 

On the serious side - I hope that you can find all of the answers you seek and that you have as good an outcome from this as possible.  I was 55 when they found mine and they thought about radiation and then decided it was already too big (4cm) and to get it out asap so I know that here in Aus there seems to be no age limit for radiation.
Any questions you think of between now and seeing your doctor I'd write them down and ask at the consultation.

Good wishes
♥ ´)
.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•♥ ¨)
(,.•´ (.♥ •´ *Suu

[leapyrtwins]

Welcome Granny 

An AN of 1.4 cms is considered medium.

Clarice's advice to contact the ANA for their free brochures is excellent advice; they are very-well written and you'll find them very helpful.

When I was diagnosed, my AN was 1.5 cms and my neurotologist told me I could have radiation, surgery, or watch & wait for a time - with monitoring.

I was 45 1/2 at the time of my diagnosis, so I don't know if there are age limits on radiation, but with all things AN check with a doc who treats them.

Those on the Forum have "been there" before - or are just starting their AN Journey - but we aren't docs.  And while our advice is very good, when it comes to medical opinions we don't really rank up there with the MDs.

Best,

Jan