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One scenario might be: you can't hear anything when you put the telephone to one of your ears. Your doctor now delivers the bad news -- that you have a brain tumor, AND the Good News -- that it is perfectly benign. You are bombarded by different therapy options (Gamma Knife, Surgery, etc.) including the idea to forget about the whole thing. Everyone and their brother and/or sister has a strong opinion; only you are left to make the decision.
Welcome to the world of acoustic neuromas!
This tumor (called a "schwannoma") arises from the myelin forming cells (Schwann cells") of the 8th cranial nerve at the point where the peripheral part of the nerve meets the brain part of the nerve (called "Hensen's node"). Hensen's node is usually located in the inner ear canal that leads to our hearing apparatus, called the "acoustic meatus." This nerve is actually three nerves in one, two "vestibular" nerves (upon which the tumor actually grows) and the hearing nerve. Immediately associated with these nerves is the 7th cranial nerve, the nerve that controls the muscles of the face, salivation, tearing, and taste. The tumor grows just next to the brain stem, and when enlarged may actually compress it. Larger tumors also may involve the swallowing nerves down below, as well as the 5th nerve above which controls sensation to the face and eye.
In other words, this is a very tightly packed and difficult area for involvement. Patients may present any combination of symptoms related to malfunction of these nerves, depending on the size, the pressure and location of the tumor.
In patients with an inherited disease called "Neurofibromatosis," a slightly different type of tumor grows, the "neurofibroma." This tumor tends to involve the whole nerve rather than displace a nerve as does the "schwannoma." In general, the neurofibroma is somewhat more difficult to handle.
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