Acoustic Neuroma
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
A brief description of how this ties in with cells:
Schwann cells overproduce, affecting the wrap on the main nerve leading to the brain.
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WHAT IS IT?
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ALSO CALLED VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMA...
- It is an uncommon, nocancerous tumor
- The tumor usually grows very slowly or not at all
- Large tumors can be life threatening
In rare cases the tumor may grow rapidly
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SYMPTOMS ARE...
- Assymetric (one sided) hearing loss
- Tinnitus
- Unsteadiness and dizziness
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MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS
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DIAGNOSING
- Diagnosis can be tricky because symptoms may be subtle and not appear early, and are also symptoms of middle and inner ear issues
- Thorough ear exam and hearing test are essential, as well as CT scans and an MRI, which help determine size and location
- Assymetric symptoms are the give away
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EFFECTS/LIFE WITH IT
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LIVING WITH AN ACOUSTIC NEUROMA
- Symtoms may continue and may be worse than before treatment (after treatment)
- Removal may cause ear and facial nerve damage (after treatment)
- Before treatment symptoms may be worse
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TREATMENT
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TREATMENTS
- Three methods of treatment; surgical removal( most common), radiation, or monitoring
- The type of treatment depends on size, growth rate, and level of hearing in affected ear
- Larger tumors are harder to treat because they may have damaged nerves and brain structures
Gamma knife and LINAC may be used to reduce size and limit growth
In some cases, sections of nerve may also need removed do to damage from the tumor
In some cases, sections of nerve may also need removed do to damage from the tumor
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WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS?
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THE PROCESS
- Chromosome 22 produces a protein that controls the growth of schwann cells. When it doesn't produce the protein, schwann cells overproduce
- When schwann cells over produce, you end up with a vestibular SCHWANNoma
- The cells continue to produce until it kills you, is treated, or the protein is produced
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