Treatment of acoustic tumours in elderly patients: is surgery warranted?

Controversy regarding the best and safest treatment of acoustic tumours in elderly patients still exists. These patients may therefore end up having either microsurgical tumour removal, stereotactic radiosurgery or no treatment at all, depending on where the treatment decision is made. We evaluated the results of microsurgery for acoustic tumour removal in 65 patients who were 70 years of age or older. Surgery was performed between 1982 and 1989, using the translabyrinthine approach. Total tumour removal was achieved in 61 patients (94 per cent). No deaths due to surgery occurred. Other than one case of meningitis, there were no serious complications. Seven cases had post-operative CSF leaks, and three required surgery for correction of the problem. Facial nerve function pre-operatively, at the time of discharge and at one year or more post-operatively was compared to that in a younger age group. No differences between the groups were found. Nor was there any significant difference in mean operative time, blood loss, or hospital stay between the older and younger patients. We believe that total microsurgical tumour removal is the treatment of choice in patients who are in good health, regardless of age. Partial removal is acceptable only if the tumour is adherent to the facial nerve or if vital-sign changes occur during surgery. Other forms of treatment are reserved for cases where surgery is contraindicated or refused by the patient.