Acoustic Neuroma: Recent Considerations for Radiation Therapy

“One in every one hundred thousand Americans will be diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma.” This is according to the ANA, a leading resource for acoustic neuroma patients and their families. As it website explains, “Acoustic neuromas are noncancerous tumors that form along the eighth cranial nerve, the vestibulocochlear nerve. ANs are often referred to as vestibular schwannomas because they usually grow from the Schwann cells, a layer of cells which creates insulation around the axons of the nerve—like the rubber insulation around an electrical power cord—on the vestibular portion of the vestibulocochlear nerve.  Symptoms of AN can include hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, disequilibrium, facial pain, and other cranial neuropathies which impact a patient’s quality of life." Learn more here.

The management options for AN include observation with serial imaging, or intervention with surgery or radiation therapy. Recently Dr. Michael Sisti, Dr. Raymond Sekula and Dr. Tony Wang authored a new article discussing the different radiation delivery methods, the types of radiation treatment systems, and outcomes.

In reflecting on this latest research, Dr. Raymond Sekula says, “Columbia has a pioneering and more than two-decade approach to stratifying those tumors, which are best treated with radiosurgery versus open surgery, and the large volume of acoustic neuromas successfully managed at our institution each year suggests that, increasingly, patients realize that Columbia physicians provide optimal care for all type of tumors and circumstances."

At Columbia Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology’s Gamma Knife Icon Unit, Dr. Tony Wang also responded, “We are proud to have successfully managed a large volume of acoustic neuromas over the years. We are excited to integrate the latest research findings into our practice, ensuring that we continue to provide the most up-to-date and effective care for our patients, tailored to the unique needs of each individual case.”

Columbia Neurosurgery is proud to partner with the ANA to bring its new research to the acoustic neuroma community during an exciting time for many future innovations to care.