An acoustic neuroma is not cancer. The tumor does not spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. However, it may continue to grow and press on important structures in the skull.

People with small, slow-growing tumors may not need treatment.

Once hearing loss occurs, it does not return after surgery.

• Brain surgery can completely remove the tumor in most cases.
• Most people with small tumors will have no permanent paralysis of the face after surgery. However, about two-thirds of patients with large tumors will have some permanent facial weakness after surgery.
• Approximately one-half of patients with small tumors will still be able to hear well in the affected ear after surgery.
• There may be delayed radiation effects after radiosurgery, including nerve damage, loss of hearing, and paralysis of the face.

Call your health care provider if you experience new or worsening hearing loss, ringing in your ears, or vertigo (dizziness).

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Central nervous system

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Review Date: 05/31/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)