Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)
How We Can Help You
An acoustic neuroma (also called a vestibular schwannoma) is a noncancerous tumor that grows near your brain on the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for hearing and balance. As the tumor grows, it can push on nearby tissues and disrupt your hearing, balance, or the muscles in your face.
Stanford is a global referral center for the diagnosis and treatment of acoustic neuromas.
Treatments for acoustic neuromas include surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with the brand name CyberKnife, other forms of radiation therapy, or a combination of these therapies.
CyberKnife was developed by Stanford neurosurgeons and is often used to treat acoustic neuromas. Your doctor will guide you through the options to help you decide what is best for you.
What We Offer You For Acoustic Neuroma
- Globally-recognized expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of acoustic neuromas.
- Team-based treatment planning that brings together specialists from neurosurgery, head and neck surgery, neuroradiology, radiation oncology, neurotology, neuropathology, audiology, physical therapy, speech and language pathology, and more.
- Advanced treatment options in radiation therapy, minimally-invasive surgery, genetic assessment and counseling, hearing and speech support.
- Comprehensive support services like occupational or physical rehabilitation, nutritional and emotional support to help you with your specific symptoms and the challenges of this experience.
- An active clinical research program dedicated to broadening options for the diagnosis and treatment of acoustic neuromas.
INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?
The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!
Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.
Acoustic Neuroma Treatment
Our team of neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, radiation oncologists and other specialists work together to develop an individualized treatment plan for your needs. Our expertise helps us determine whether — and when — you need treatment or support for any symptoms including:
We are focused on advancing the field of acoustic neuroma care with safer, more effective treatments.
Treatment Overview
Family Risk Management
Treatment depends on the size of the acoustic neuroma, how fast it’s growing, and your overall health. To preserve your hearing, balance, and facial nerve function, we take a conservative, minimally-invasive approach to treatment, typically using a combination of surgery and radiation therapy. We surgically remove as much of the acoustic neuroma as possible and treat the remaining tumor with radiation.
Surgery
Your doctor may recommend surgery to treat the acoustic neuroma. Our neurosurgeons and otolaryngologists work together using advanced, minimally-invasive surgical techniques. Our expertise makes us one of the most sought-after centers in the world for acoustic neuroma surgery.
Radiation Therapy
We have extensive experience with radiation therapy to treat acoustic neuromas. We offer the advanced options to deliver the maximum safe dose directly to the target tissue.
- CyberKnife radiosurgery is a robotic, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) system that sends pulses of radiation from multiple angles to target the tumor.
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) conforms the radiation beam to the contours of the tumor and customizes intensity to the various densities of the tumor tissues.
Active Surveillance
Because acoustic neuromas are rarely cancerous and most grow slowly, you may not need treatment at all. If your symptoms are mild, we will monitor the tumor and be ready to intervene as necessary.
Having the genetic syndrome called neurofibromatosis type 2 increases your risk for a type of acoustic neuroma that affects both ears, called bilateral acoustic neuroma.
People with neurofibromatosis type 2 have a genetic mutation that can cause cells to grow out of control and lead to cancer.
If you have neurofibromatosis type 2, our specialists will work with you to recommend the most appropriate options for your treatment, and to genetically screen your family members to assess their risks for acoustic neuromas.
Family risk management is a partnership between our Neurogenetic Oncology Program and Cancer Genetics Program.
Treatment depends on the size of the acoustic neuroma, how fast it’s growing, and your overall health. To preserve your hearing, balance, and facial nerve function, we take a conservative, minimally-invasive approach to treatment, typically using a combination of surgery and radiation therapy. We surgically remove as much of the acoustic neuroma as possible and treat the remaining tumor with radiation.
Surgery
Your doctor may recommend surgery to treat the acoustic neuroma. Our neurosurgeons and otolaryngologists work together using advanced, minimally-invasive surgical techniques. Our expertise makes us one of the most sought-after centers in the world for acoustic neuroma surgery.
Radiation Therapy
We have extensive experience with radiation therapy to treat acoustic neuromas. We offer the advanced options to deliver the maximum safe dose directly to the target tissue.
- CyberKnife radiosurgery is a robotic, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) system that sends pulses of radiation from multiple angles to target the tumor.
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) conforms the radiation beam to the contours of the tumor and customizes intensity to the various densities of the tumor tissues.
Active Surveillance
Because acoustic neuromas are rarely cancerous and most grow slowly, you may not need treatment at all. If your symptoms are mild, we will monitor the tumor and be ready to intervene as necessary.
close Treatment Overview
Having the genetic syndrome called neurofibromatosis type 2 increases your risk for a type of acoustic neuroma that affects both ears, called bilateral acoustic neuroma.
People with neurofibromatosis type 2 have a genetic mutation that can cause cells to grow out of control and lead to cancer.
If you have neurofibromatosis type 2, our specialists will work with you to recommend the most appropriate options for your treatment, and to genetically screen your family members to assess their risks for acoustic neuromas.
Family risk management is a partnership between our Neurogenetic Oncology Program and Cancer Genetics Program.
close Family Risk Management
Clinical Trials for Acoustic Neuromas
Clinical trials evaluate new approaches, devices, or medications in the treatment of acoustic neuromas. Ask your doctor or clinical trials coordinator about available trials that may be additional options for your care.
To learn more about the clinical trials we offer, contact Maria Coburn at 650-736-9551.
Our Clinics
Stanford Neuroscience brings together top neurologists, neurosurgeons, and interventional neuroradiologists who work side-by-side to offer you truly comprehensive, coordinated care.
RELATED CLINICS
3rd Floor
Palo Alto CA, 94304
Phone: 650-498-6000
To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-723-6469
Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)
An acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous brain tumor that grows on the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for hearing and balance. As the tumor grows, it can push on nearby tissues and disrupt your hearing, balance, or the function of the muscles in your face.
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