This year in Australia over 100 people will be told they have a small mass growing in their inner ear, possibly extending into their brain, which may be a benign tumour called an acoustic neuroma

What is it?

Acoustic neuromas constitute 6-10 percent of all cranial tumours.  They are benign and usually are slow growing: their symptoms are deceptive and mimic less serious problems.  The cells which form an Acoustic neuroma are called Schwann cells and make up the lining of the eighth cranial nerve as it passes through a tiny canal which connects the inner ear to the brain.  Unknown events lead to an overproduction of Schwann cells. As they multiply they form a small mass which fills the canal

How is it found?

An acoustic neuroma usually is located after a patient reports one-sided hearing loss and the proper tests are done to locate the cause.  A range of diagnostic systems can picture acoustic neuromas after sophisticated audiometry testing suggests the cause of the hearing problem.  CAT and MRI scanning systems can outline an acoustic neuroma if one is present.

What damage can it cause if untreated?

As the tumour expands, it extends into the brain, assuming a pear shape and putting pressure on the tissue there.  By this time the patient may have had some of the symptoms which an acoustic neuroma can cause – hearing impairment in one ear, ear noise (tinnitus), ear fullness.  Other symptoms sometimes include unsteadiness or imbalance and facial numbness or twitching.  Continued growth can produce further symptoms and death may eventually result.

What can be done about it?

The three options for treatment include 1) regular monitoring to observe growth rate, 2) surgical removal or 3) radiotherapy to halt tumour growth.

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