[Vestibular schwannoma: active treatment or follow-up?]

Vestibular schwannoma is a rare benign tumor of a cranial nerve. The symptom picture is usually a varying one, centering on otogenic symptoms, such as hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness. The diagnosis is often made only after the patient has already had symptoms for a longer time. The number of tumors found yearly in Finland is estimated to be approximately 50 to 100. Even very small tumors are detected by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Since a significant proportion of the tumors remain unchanged in size over a follow-up observation period of several years, follow-up instead of surgical treatment is considered adequate for some of the patients.