Acoustic tumor growth: implications for treatment choices

Knowledge of acoustic neuroma (AN) growth is essential for treatment planning. A retrospective analysis of 119 patients with AN (mean age, 65 years; range, 37-84 years) followed with interval magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs) was performed. Change in maximum tumor dimension as a function of follow-...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of otology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 20; no. 4; p. 495
Main Authors Fucci, M J, Buchman, C A, Brackmann, D E, Berliner, K I
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.07.1999
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Choice Behavior
Combined Modality Therapy
Cranial Nerve Neoplasms - pathology
Cranial Nerve Neoplasms - therapy
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Staging
Neuroma, Acoustic - pathology
Neuroma, Acoustic - therapy
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
Vestibulocochlear Nerve - pathology
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Summary:Knowledge of acoustic neuroma (AN) growth is essential for treatment planning. A retrospective analysis of 119 patients with AN (mean age, 65 years; range, 37-84 years) followed with interval magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs) was performed. Change in maximum tumor dimension as a function of follow-up period was analyzed. Overall, maximum tumor dimension increased >2 mm in only 30% of patients. Of those that grew, the mean growth rate was 3.8 mm/year (maximum, 25 mm/year). Age, gender, and laterality did not predict growth. Most tumors that grew (86.1 %) were <20 mm at presentation. However, tumors >20 mm were statistically more likely to grow (71%, p =0.028). Most ANs followed with periodic MRIs do not grow. Available clinical information usually cannot predict growth. Serial MRIs are advocated for all patients treated with observation.
ISSN:0192-9763