Radiosurgery techniques such as Gamma Knife® have become the treatment of choice for acoustic neuromas under 3cm in diameter.
Gamma Knife® technology, as explained by doctor Mr Ian Sabin, is able to target tumours accurately and deliver radiation with great speed and precision, making it possible to give a large radiation dose, with the arrest of tumour growth in 95% of cases.
This innovative technique avoids most of the side effects associated with traditional surgery including permanent loss of hearing in one side, bleeding, stroke and occasionally death. Whilst Gamma Knife® does not remove the entire tumour it is likely to shrink over time and not present a further problem.
Gamma Knife® treatment is normally given over the course of one day and most patients are able to return home only an hour after the radiosurgery. One of the many benefits of Gamma Knife® is that it enables neurosurgeons to treat many tumours that would otherwise be inaccessible for treatment. For further information please see articles below.
Please see the expert articles listed below for more information.
Contact a doctor to discuss treating acoustic neuromas with Gamma Knife.
About Acoustic Neuromas
Acoustic neuromas, also known as vestibular schwannoma, are very slow-growing benign tumours on the nerve running from the inner ear. The symptoms vary greatly from having no affect to loss of hearing and balance. Often these tumours will be observed with no treatment undertaken due to the inherent risks in open surgery so close to a nerve.