Cost of Acoustic Neuroma in India

It is a noncancerous and usually slow-growing tumor that develops on the main nerve leading from your inner ear to your brain. Acoustic neuroma usually arises from the Schwann cells covering this nerve and grows slowly or not at all. Rarely, it may grow rapidly and become large enough to press against the brain and interfere with vital functions.

• Unsteadiness, loss of balance.
• Dizziness (vertigo).
• Facial numbness and very rarely.
• Weakness or loss of muscle movement.
• Ringing (tinnitus) in the affected ear.
• Hearing loss.

The cause of acoustic neuromas appears to be a malfunctioning gene on chromosome 22. Normally, this gene produces a tumor suppressor protein that helps control the growth of Schwann cells covering the nerves. This faulty gene is also inherited in neurofibromatosis type 2, a rare disorder that usually involves the growth of tumors on balance nerves on both sides of your head.

1. Hearing test (audiometry).
2. Imaging tests like MRI & CT.
3. Physical exam

Monitoring: This when you small acoustic neuroma that isn't growing or is growing slowly and causes few or no signs or symptoms, you and your doctor may decide to monitor it, particularly when you are not suitable for more aggressive treatment. At this stage doing regular imaging and hearing tests every 6 to 12 months is enough.

Surgery: This is to remove when the tumor size is bigger caring for facial nerve to prevent facial paralysis and preserve hearing when possible. This is performed under general anesthesia through the inner ear or a window in your skull.

Radiation therapy: Your doctor may recommend a type of radiation therapy known as stereotactic radiosurgery if you have an acoustic neuroma, particularly if your tumor is small (less than 3 centimeters in diameter), you are an older adult or you cannot tolerate surgery for health reasons. The goal of stereotactic radiosurgery is to stop the growth of a tumor, preserve the facial nerve's function and possibly preserve hearing.

Radiation has three types:

1. Stereotactic radiosurgery such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery which uses many tiny gamma raysto deliver a precisely targeted dose of radiation to a tumor without damaging the surrounding tissue or making an incision.
2. Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) delivers a small dose of radiation to the tumor over several sessions in an effort to curb the growth of the tumor without damaging surrounding brain tissue.
3. Proton beam therapy. This type of radiation therapy uses high-energy beams of positively charged particles called protons that are delivered to the affected area in targeted doses to treat tumors and minimize radiation exposure to the surrounding area.

• Facial numbness and very rarely.
• Weakness or loss of muscle movement.
• Ringing (tinnitus) in the affected ear.
• Hearing loss.
• Difficulties with balance.