title: Stereotactic radiation techniques in the treatment of acoustic schwannomas.
abstract: Medical decision-making is based on benefit-to-cost analysis. Optimally, treatment obtains a high degree of benefit while minimizing the physical, social, and financial costs. The goals of the treatment of acoustic schwannomas are prohibiting tumor growth and alleviation of symptoms caused by damage to local structures. These symptoms-tinnitus, ataxia, and hearing loss--secondary to eighth nerve dysfunction, as well as symptoms arising from damage to adjacent structures such as the facial nerve, trigeminal nerve, or pons, can be caused by tumor growth or treatment. Determination of optimal therapy must also take into account an understanding of the natural history of the disease, because acoustic schwannomas are slow-growing benign tumors that when left untreated, usually enlarge over time and cause problems.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute of Saint Thomas Hospital, 4220 Harding Road, Nashville, TN 37205, USA. sabram@howellallen.com
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abram
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rosenblatt
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holcomb
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000453:epidemiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D016518:Neurofibromatosis 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D014717:Vertigo / Q000453:epidemiology