Treatment strategy for vestibular schwannoma; decision-making, especially for tumor removal

• Published in: JOURNAL OF JAPAN SOCIETY FOR HEAD AND NECK SURGERY Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 175 - 181
• Main Author: Wada, Tetsuro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: JAPAN SOCIETY FOR HEAD AND NECK SURGERY 30.10.2016
• Subjects: preservation of hearing; quality of life; treatment strategy; ultrasonic bone curette; vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma)
• ISSN: 1349-581X; 1884-474X
• DOI: 10.5106/jjshns.26.175

Treatment options for vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) are wait and scan, radiotherapy and surgery, but it is difficult to decide which policy is the most appropriate for each case. One of the roles of otolaryngologists is to diagnose this tumor as early as possible. Furthermore, we are expected to participate in management of this disease in many ways. Before treatment, otolaryngologists could provide useful guidance for the patient’s decision-making. Although information about the risks and benefits of each treatment strategy is important, it is not appropriate to overestimate the risks of surgery. It is possible to aim for much safer procedures with ultrasonic bone curette and facial nerve monitoring devices. During the surgery, we could cooperate with neurosurgeons to preserve nerve functions. After the treatment, we should evaluate and follow-up the sense of hearing, dizziness and facial nerve function of the patients. Such efforts by otolaryngologists are very important to provide better quality of life for patients with this tumor.