Stereotactic Radiosurgery

When is treating acoustic neuroma with stereotactic radiosurgery indicated?

In recent years, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been used for the treatment of acoustic neuroma. This type of radiation is unlike other types used to treat cancer as it is precisely focused on the tumor with only a negligible amount affecting the rest of the brain. It has been shown to be effective for some patients with specific types of acoustic neuroma.

Only small tumors can be treated in this way. Also, this procedure would only be indicated for the elderly or for those who are unable to undergo anesthesia.

Several devices and protocols can be used to perform SRS. It can be carried out in a single day or over several days, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each method. For patients selected for this treatment, we prefer to use Gamma Knife radiosurgery or LINAC.

Since acoustic neuromas are benign, we do not recommend radiosurgery as a first option. It is not risk-free and does not result in the compete disappearance of the acoustic neuroma. Hearing loss and facial paralysis may occur after radiosurgery. In cases where it is not effective and the tumor continues to grow, a normal surgical procedure will have more technical difficulties and less probability of total tumor resection.