Vestibular schwannoma

Introduction

An acoustic neuroma is a type of non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour. It's also known as a vestibular schwannoma.

A Brain tumour, benign (non-cancerous) is a growth in the brain that usually grows slowly over many years and doesn't spread to other parts of the body.

Acoustic neuromas grow on the nerve used for hearing and balance, which can cause problems such as hearing loss and unsteadiness.

They can sometimes be serious if they become very large, but most are picked up and treated before they reach this stage.

Acoustic neuromastend to affect adults aged 30-60 and usually have no obvious cause, although a small number of cases are the result of a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) .

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 30 Nov 2016

Articles for vestibular schwannoma

Introduction

An acoustic neuroma is a type of non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour. Acoustic neuromas grow on the nerve used for hearing and balance, which can cause problems such as hearing loss and unsteadiness. They can sometimes be serious if they become very large, but most are picked up and treated before they reach this stage.

Symptoms of vestibular schwannoma

An acoustic neuroma may not cause any obvious symptoms at first. Any symptoms tend to develop gradually and often include: hearing loss, which usually only affects one ear; tinnitus, etc.

Causes of vestibular schwannoma

A large acoustic neuroma can also sometimes cause: Persistent headaches; Temporary blurred or double vision; Numbness, pain or weakness on one side of the face, etc.

Treatment of vestibular schwannoma

There are several different treatment options for an acoustic neuroma, depending on the size and position of your tumour, how fast it's growing and your general health. Speak to your specialist about the best option for you and what the benefits and risks are.

Medical Advice

See your GP if you have persistent or troublesome symptoms that you're worried could be caused by an acoustic neuroma. Acoustic neuromas can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be caused by other conditions, such as Mnire's disease. If your GP thinks you could have an acoustic neuroma, you'll be referred to a hospital or clinic for further tests.

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