Hi, Lon ~
As you know, our members are not physicians and cannot offer medical advice but as AN patients, we can give you our opinions based on our experience and that of others who communicate on these forums.
Ultimately, the decision of surgery or radiation rests with the patient. As you know, AN surgery is invasive and does carry some risks, as all surgery does. Radiation treatment is far less traumatic but not without it's own set of risks, which are sometimes delayed but must be considered, all the same. While often attractive because it is performed on an outpatient basis and the patient can usually resume normal activities immediately, radiation is not a panacea. If it were, every AN patient that qualified for radiation treatment would chose it. They do not. Radiation requires an annual MRI for years into the future, to detect any re-growth. However, your desire to not have your AN treatment become a life-changing event (which is perfectly understandable) would point to choosing radiation (GK, CK or FSR) as your treatment.
Tinnitus can be a big issue but neither surgery or radiation will affect it to any great degree because it is generated by the brain, not the ear, and neither procedure addresses tinnitus because there is no 'cure', although homeopathic 'remedies' abound. A few even work for some AN patients.
For what its worth: I was diagnosed with a 4.5 cm AN in 2006 that was pressing hard on my brain stem, a life-threatening situation although my symptoms were relatively mild. My neurosurgeon chose to 'de-bulk' my large tumor, effectively peeling off layers and making it thin enough to fold over on itself and be amenable to the effects of the radiation I received 3 months later (FSR). During the operation he also severed the ANs blood supply. I was blessed to come through the surgery with no complications except for approximately 72 hours of slight double vision and the usual fatigue such a traumatic invasion of the body generates as it tries to heal. All my pre-surgery symptoms disappeared almost immediately following the de-bulking operation. The follow-up radiation was performed three months later on an out-patient basis. I received 26 treatments of targeted radiation (a total of 27 Gy) to destroy the remaining tumor's ability to re-grow. These sessions were completely uneventful and I did not suffer any side effects. Subsequent MRI scans indicated tumor necrosis and the beginnings of shrinkage. I've not experienced any of my pre-surgery symptoms since the original operation in '06. Unfortunately, my hearing in the affected ear had been lost prior to my AN diagnosis but other that that, I'm in great shape, physically and have long since resumed my normal lifestyle. I should add that I was 63 years old and in good physical shape at the time of my surgery, which I assume was a factor in my excellent outcome. I'm not sure if my experience will be helpful to you but I hope it serves as an encouragement and, perhaps, offers you another option (de-bulking, radiation) to present to your doctors.
Please try to remain connected to the ANA discussion forums and, if possible, update us on your decision. Thanks.
Jim
