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Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Surgical Treatment of an Endolymphatic Sac Tumor
Published on: May 26, 2023
Management of acoustic schwannoma
William M Mendenhall1, William A Friedman, Robert J Amdur
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, 32610-0385, USA. mendewil@shands.ufl.edu
Purpose:
To discuss the optimal management for patients with acoustic schwannoma.
Materials And Methods:
Review of the pertinent literature.
Results:
Microsurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and fractionated radiotherapy result in cure rates that approximate 90% at 5 years. Depending on tumor extent and surgical approach, the morbidity of microsurgery may exceed that of stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated radiotherapy. Patients with useful hearing before treatment may have a higher likelihood of hearing preservation after radiotherapy compared with radiosurgery.
Conclusion:
Both microsurgery and radiosurgery are good options for patients with tumors less than 3 cm. Depending on tumor extent and the surgical approach, the morbidity of microsurgery may exceed that of radiosurgery. Patients with useful hearing may have a higher likelihood of hearing preservation after radiotherapy. Microsurgery is preferred for patients in whom the disease progresses after initial irradiation and in patients with tumors larger than 3 cm.
