3-4mm ANs

[cbarker]

I was diagnosed this summer with an AN about 3-4mm.  I'm waiting to hear from the surgeon and have NO idea what he will recommend.  Is it better to operate when it is so small?   Many of you have much larger ANs.  Just wondering while I wait for the phone to ring...

[Desilu]

Hi cbarker,

The decision is totally up to you. My tumor started out being 3mm x 4mm and I waited for 5 years. When it started to grow 5mm x 8mm I wanted it out! I didn't realize that I could wake up one morning and be deaf. When the tumor takes over your hearing, it normally does not come back. After going to AN group meetings in the Chicago Area, I realized how serious my situation was. It was then that I started to do my research and make an educated decision. I had a great outcome and just celebrated my 1 year anniversary of my surgery. I am glad that it is over. If you have any questions, please email me. Ann

[FranDS]

I was diagnosed in May with a 7mm and have only some hearing in the affected ear; yet, I'm still watching and waiting.  My advice is to read as much of the discussions as you can, do lots of research, then make a decision.  I had decided on cyberknife, the least invasive method of treatment; but when I went to the neurosurgeon today, he agreed waiting and watching would be fine since I have no adverse symptoms except for hearing loss (no headaches, facial paralysis, balance is good, etc.)  I will get another MRI in two months and another hearing test (see my not in general discussion I posted today) and will see if it's grown or my hearing has worsened.  If so, then I will go forward with the CK radiosurgery. 

We all have to do what is right for ourselves, but be informed and look at all options.  Stay with the discussion group and read everything on the ANAUSA site, the Cyberknife site, and any dependable  site you can find (Standford, House Clinic, Barrow, etc.)  This discussion forum is fantastic with people who have experienced everything you are feeling.

Good luck!

[FranDS]

Oops, my note is under "Pre-Treatment Options," not "General Discussion."  Sorry.

[vcschaub]

I was first diagnosed with a 4mm an. My symptoms were ear fullness and off and on lack of balance. I often felt as though I was moving when I was completely still, especially in bed. At the 18 months mark, my an had grown (to 6 mm) and I could tell that my hearing was changing. I had the "I can hear you just can't make out what you are saying syndrome". Since I am 54 and in good health and did not want my hearing to deteriorate any further, I chose surgery. I then chose House because of their vast experience and on the recommendation of my local ENT who had studied under them. I had an MRI at 5 months after surgery to see why my ear still felt so full. It showed that the an was completely gone and that the fluid build up was slowly disappating. It is now almost completely gone.

The bottom line was hearing preservation. I did not want to wait until it got worse and the odds were with me because of the smallness of my an.

[justafactoflife]

Hi, ...and sorry to see you are going thru this too, but as you have found out, you are not alone any more.

Good advice above and more throughout this forum.  I highly recommend you choose your surgeon very carefully and get 2nd opinions as soon as you can.  The smaller the tumor the less post ops side effects generally when removed early on surgically.  Also,...the radiation treatments available are state of the art, but they are limited in the size that can be treated.  Check with your doctors on the choices available and on this forum, as I am right now.  I haven't decided my choice yet either.

Not to scare you,...but I had my 1st AN removed 3 years ago and now it came back for a 2nd time.  The MRI showed it was approx 7mm x 5mm.  After surgery was completed, the Dr told me it had grown larger than was expected and I had made the right choice to do the surgery then and not later.  The surgeon back then also told me "it had all been removed".  Guess not, huh?  After surgery or radiation, you should have an annual MRI completed just as a follow-up and peace of mind.  I waited nearly 18 months from my last MRI and just found out I have a regrowth AN.  2nd time it is 1 CM in size and it wasn't found in my last MRI.  Therefore, an AN tumor can grow more quickly than what you may have been told by your Dr.  I was never to good at metrics but basically a CM is larger than a MM.

Research, research,....research.  BE INFORMED!!!!!  Then make your decision and don't look back in regret.  Be at peace with your choice, yourself, your family, and your God!!  I'm telling myself this as well as everyone else who reads it

Take care and I'll keep you in my prayers

[Road Trip Dale]

Most doctors will recommend a "Wait and See" for an AN as small as yours.  If it begins to grow then the decisions begin.  Sorry you are having to go through this but be assured there are many of us who have had excellent results from the surgical and the Radiation treatments, so, although being a little scary, it will be all right.  Sounds like they have found yours very early and that is always a great sign, because it gives you many different treatment options.  Good Luck and keep us posted....as you have found out there are wonderful people out here who are here to support.

RTD

[Laura]

cbaker - have you heard back from you doctor? I'm sure you have by now - can you give us an update?

I was also diagnosed this summer (last month actually). My first thought - get this thing OUT, OUT, OUT right now! But after reading more and more I thought the surgery was a bit risky for me and was considering CK or GK. But, low and behold, after meeting with my neuro and ENT specialist I have decided to watch and wait. It is a very difficult decision... you should make this decision based on your thoughts, your familys thoughts, and as much information as you can find. Good luck in your search and keep us posted!

Laura