Hi, Annette:
Welcome to the forum. I trust it'll remain a source of information and encouragement for you as you proceed on your 'AN journey'.
Radiation is a very sensible option for someone with a small AN. It is non-invasive and avoids hospitalization, the chance for infection and other surgery-related risks. However, radiation is
not risk-free and complications can still arise, including facial nerve damage. Your goal will be to choose a radiation oncologist with experience treating acoustic neuromas. Although no doctor can absolutely guarantee the outcome of a GK/CK procedure (or surgery, for that matter). They can only offer you their experience and give you 'odds' for success in any given area, such as hearing preservation. Some doctors are hesitant to perform radiation on patients that are still fairly young, as it precludes the patient from receiving radiation treatment later in life, even though a condition such as cancer could make radiation the only option. There is a strict limit on how much radiation the body can safely absorb without endangering the patients health and life, so doctors can get fussy about radiation. However, many folks on this forum within your age bracket have undergone Cyber Knife or Gamma Knife procedures, so I doubt your relative youth will be an obstacle to receiving radiation treatment for your AN.
If it happens that radiation is
not an option, I think the location of your AN will be the reason. It's proximity to the brainstem is problematic but a physician can clarify this issue for you better than I can, so I'll leave it to the medical professionals to make those judgments and explain your options. If surgery becomes necessary (due to the location of the tumor) it isn't quite as scary as it sounds. Many of the posters on this forum have undergone microsurgery and not only lived to tell about it but have recovered nicely and gone on with their lives, pretty much as before. I'm one of them. Check my 'signature' at the bottom of this post for details.
We can empathize with your feelings Annette because most of us either are or have been where you are now. Newly diagnosed, scared, mad and then, determined to fight this thing. The good news is that an acoustic neuroma isn't malignant and
is treatable. You have options - and you have good reason to be hopeful and positive. You can get through this. We're here to help, be it with advice, suggestions, information or simply encouragement and to let you vent (you probably will need to at some point...we all do) so feel free to post a question or just keep us informed as your time permits. We wish you better days ahead.
Jim
