Hello,
Sorry you are dealing with an acoustic neuroma. Hope this chatboard can help you get used to discussing the problem. We are all patients/former patients, not doctors. We can't advise you, but we can tell our stories for what they might be worth.
I'm coming up on my one-year anniversary of Translab surgery, for my Acoustic Neuroma, which was just under 2cm on its longest side. I, like so many others on the chatboard, was in Watch and Wait about two years.
In that time, I also worried a lot and did a lot of research. I had about six consults with surgeons and/or ENTs who did/or would refer me to radiation oncologists for radiation.
I also had: Hearing loss to the point of deafness in the affected ear, before treatment; balance trouble; facial tics/microspasms; tinnitus; and some signs of other complications.
I chose surgery, ultimately, and I have had an excellent outcome. You can flip back to my other posts for more detail, but I just want to say that the choice between longer observation, radiation treatment, and surgery is different for each person/patient because the acoustic neuroma can have many different presentations.
For me, in my last period of MRIs, the growth rate was greater than normal, which leading MDs say means surgery is the better option, statistically. I went with surgery for that reason.
After deciding on surgery, I went for the best team of surgeons that I could access.
After making the surgery date, I was calmer than I had been in two years, and it all worked out great.
I don't know what your decision path will look like, but the best surgeons/doctors/specialists out there will help you understand what the best decision for you might be. It depends on so many factors.
It's a tough call sometimes, and other times it not a tough call. Tumor size, your symptoms, growth rate, your wishes, your hearing loss situation, etc. all play a role. Sometimes one factor alone becomes the deciding factor.
I wish there was a simple treatment decision tree, but there just isn't.
And choice of MD is super important. Please look for a medical center that has an excellent reputation for treatment of acoustic neuromas. That is key.
Take care, and remember, there are very many good outcomes overall. It's very frightening, and can be life changing, but it's not insurmountable. Wishing you all the best.
Skier
