Treatment options for acoustic neuroma
Schneider W L, Hailey D
Record ID 31999009740
English
Authors' objectives:
This report considers:
1. The place and role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the management of acoustic neuroma, in comparison with neurosurgical techniques
2. The comparative performance of the two most commonly available forms of SRS, the modified linear accelerator (LINAC) and the Gamma Knife (GK), a device that makes use of radiation from cobalt-60 sources.
Authors' recommendations:
Available treatment options for persons with acoustic neuroma are microsurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and watchful waiting.
Microsurgery is the primary treatment option for acoustic neuroma. Surgical techniques continue to evolve.
Surgical removal of these tumours requires considerable expertise to maintain low morbidity and mortality rates.
There is evidence, from methodologically weak studies, that SRS is efficacious in treatment of acoustic neuroma in suitably selected individuals.
Evidence on the comparative effectiveness of SRS and microsurgery remains limited.
Both SRS and microsurgery have associated short-term and long-term complications. Unlike SRS, microsurgery will require post-operative hospital stay and subsequent convalescence.
There is no evidence of any difference in effectiveness between the LINAC and Gamma Knife approaches to SRS.
The overall performance of SRS will depend on the expertise of the patient management team and the quality of imaging and treatment planning, rather than the method used to deliver radiation.
Watchful waiting is preferred for older persons with slow growing tumours.
Regardless of the modality of treatment, it is imperative that patients be referred to centres of excellence. These would be centres that treat large numbers of patients with acoustic neuroma.
Authors' methods:
Review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
1999
URL for published report:
http://www.ihe.ca/advanced-search/treatment-options-for-acoustic-neuroma
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Neuroma, Acoustic
Contact
Organisation Name:
Institute of Health Economics
Contact Address:
1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018;
Contact Name:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Contact Email:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Copyright:
<p>Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research</p>
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