Sally and everyone else,
The watch and wait approach is starting to take momentum. I had a 2cm AN removed using middle fossa, 3 years ago. I have lost most of my hearing in that ear and have high tinitus. I can live with that. Unfortunately, I have had very debilitating headaches for 3 years, due to the cutting of the muscles etc - i have tried conventional drugs (including nerve suppressants, steroids injected into my head and accupuncture all to no avail. 6 mths ago, I had an MRI and my tumour had grown back. i was not impressed. After a gruelling and invasive op and recovery period, I find that its returned. Anyway, I had a follow up MRI the other day and it hasn't grown at all since the last MRI.
I was all set for CK treatment but my ENT surgeon said that recent studies suggest to wait and see before doing anything. My surgeon was very good about radiation treatment as a possibility (even though he doesn't do it) but he now will not operate on small AN's nor will he do any further middle fossa surgery. If surgery is required, he will do translab only. I think recurrence is too frequent under middle fossa. Anyway, everyone has different circumstances and the tumor can affect people differently. For myself, I have no facial nerve issues, I have slight balance problems (but a good party joke when asked to walk a straight line without being drunk). Therefore, my scenario is to wait. Evidence is starting to now appear that these AN's may not grow into a major concern issue for some years, particularly if you have a small one. It's likely that its been growing for many years already without notice.
My view is that technology is improving all the time and who knows what sort of treatment will be available in a few years time.
Larry