When is brain tumour surgery recommended for acoustic neuroma?

An acoustic neuroma, also called a vestibular schwannoma, develops from cells near the nerve linking the inner ear and brain. Surgery removes some or all of the tumour through an approach chosen for its size, position, hearing status and relationship to the facial nerve and brainstem. Small, stable tumours may sometimes be monitored with scans, and focused radiation may be considered in selected cases. Surgery can be favoured when there is documented growth, worsening balance or hearing, facial nerve symptoms, brainstem pressure or fluid buildup in the brain.

Request review by a skull-base team that may include a neurosurgeon, ear specialist, radiologist and hearing professional. Bring MRI scans, hearing tests and a list of symptoms and medicines. Ask which surgical route is proposed, what hearing preservation means in your case, how facial nerve function will be protected and whether monitoring or focused radiation remains reasonable. Discuss recovery, balance rehabilitation, wound care and follow-up imaging before choosing a plan.

Seek urgent care for a sudden severe headache, repeated vomiting, new drowsiness, collapse, a seizure, new facial weakness or sudden loss of coordination. After surgery, promptly report fever, worsening headache, clear fluid from the wound or nose, increasing facial weakness, severe dizziness or a sudden change in hearing. These symptoms need assessment because pressure, infection or nerve changes can require timely treatment.

Has my tumour changed on serial MRI scans? Which nerves or brain structures touch it? What are the aims of surgery for hearing, balance and facial movement? What alternatives fit my tumour and symptoms, and what recovery support will I need?