Kristin:
Thanks for posting your questions on behalf of your mom. This was a very considerate thing for you to do. We'll try to help, of course.
As Debbi noted, your mom's acoustic neuroma is medium-large but may possibly be a candidate for irradiation treatment, which is non-invasive (no cutting). This can only be determined by a qualified medical professional (doctor) after reviewing your mom's MRI scan. As Debbi also stated, acoustic neuromas are benign (non-malignant) about 99% of the time but because of where they're located, can be a real problem in many respects. AN removal surgery is a very delicate operation and your mom should only consider hiring a surgeon very experienced in AN removal to perform this operation. Like Debbi, I'm not from Ohio and can't offer any useful information on doctors and hospitals in your area but many other forum members are from Ohio and will chime in soon with the kind of information you seek, I'm sure.
I completely understand your mom's concerns regarding the risk of facial paralysis resulting from AN removal surgery. Frankly, Kristin, I had the exact same worries when I consulted the neurosurgeon I eventually hired to remove my 4.5 cm AN. I made my fears of facial paralysis quite clear and the doctor was very understanding and receptive to my concerns. He suggested a two-stage approach; first, he would 'de-bulk' the tumor, cutting off it's blood supply and reducing it to a shell, then after a 90-day 'rest period', I would undergo FSR (fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery) which was a series of 26, 'low-dose' radiation treatments aimed very directly at the remaining AN. These 'treatments' were about 25 minutes long, given on a 5-day, Monday through Friday schedule. The goal was to eventually eradicate the AN but save my facial and other vital nerves residing in the area of the tumor. The neurosurgeon was quite confident of the eventual success of this approach and, on that basis, so was I.
I underwent the (retrosigmoid) surgery in June, 2006 and emerged with my AN some 40% smaller and with my face basically as mobile as ever and almost no real deficits. With the exception of my one-sided hearing loss, my symptoms disappeared. I was driving again within two weeks. I regained my strength and in September, 2006 began my 5-week FSR treatments, driving myself to and from the radiation center (a 60 mile round-trip) each day. I suffered no ill effects from the radiation and my last MRI (in August) showed tumor shrinkage and cell-death ('necrosis') Now, some 2+ years out, I'm pretty much back to normal and doing great. For what it's worth, I was in good health but 15 years older than your mom when I underwent the surgery/radiation.
Kristin, everyone here will tell you, quite correctly, that we're unique individuals and because AN surgery is a veritable minefield, there can be no guarantees for any patient as to exactly how they'll come through surgery and/or radiation. I did great and I'm happy to use my experience to encourage other newly-diagnosed AN patients. Some folks do have a few issues to deal with, often including some degree of facial paralysis and some AN surgical patients experience a multitude of problems. Most people usually can surmount those in time and lead a full, productive life. You'll see many of our members post to you that can personally attest to that.
I don't know if my words will ease your minds but what I've posted is factual and I hope and pray that you and your mom will try to breathe a bit and not allow fear to control you.
Please try to remain connected here for information and support. We care and want to help in any way we can.
Jim
