Subtotal Resection of Large Acoustic Neuromas With Possible Stereotactic Radiation Therapy

The current standard treatment of a large tumor of the balance nerve (acoustic neuroma or vestibular schwannoma) is surgical resection. Complete removal of such tumor is associated with significant risks of hearing loss and facial paralysis whereas incomplete removal of the tumor is associated with significant risks of regrowth. Stereotactic radiation is a well accepted therapy aiming at stopping the growth of smaller acoustic neuromas before their sizes become large enough to cause problems. The purpose of our study is to determine whether the combination of subtotal resection followed by stereotactic radiation of the remnant can control large acoustic neuromas without the significant risks associated with complete resection.