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Comparison of quality of life in vestibular schwannoma patients managed with observation, radiotherapy or microsurgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2024

Jessica F Ball Open the ORCID record for Jessica F Ball [Opens in a new window] ,
Jacob C M Low ,
Anand V Kasbekar  and
Tristram H Lesser
Jessica F Ball*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK
Jacob C M Low
Affiliation:
Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, UK
Anand V Kasbekar
Affiliation:
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust & Hearing Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
Tristram H Lesser
Affiliation:
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
*
Corresponding author: Jessica F Ball; Email: jessicaball@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objectives

In decision making regarding the management of vestibular schwannomas, alongside clinical outcomes, an understanding of patient reported health-related quality of life measures is key. Therefore, the aim of this research is to compare health-related quality of life in vestibular schwannoma patients treated with active observation, stereotactic radiotherapy and microsurgical excision.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with unilateral sporadic vestibular schwannomas between 1995 and 2015 at a specialist tertiary centre was conducted. Patients completed the Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality of Life questionnaire and handicap inventories for dizziness, hearing and tinnitus.

Results

Of 234 patients, 136 responded (58.1 per cent). Management modality was: 86 observation, 23 stereotactic radiotherapy and 25 microsurgery. Females reported significantly worse dizziness; males reported significantly worse physical disability. Patients less than 65 years old reported significantly worse tinnitus and pain scores. Overall, quality of life was higher in the observation group.

Conclusion

Conservative management, where appropriate, is favourable with higher quality-of-life outcomes in this cohort. This must be weighed against the risks of a growing tumour.

Keywords

Acoustic neuromaquality of liferadiotherapysensorineural hearing lossvertigo

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 138 , Issue 10 , October 2024 , pp. 998 - 1003
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Jessica F Ball takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Presented at BACO International Meeting, July 2018, Manchester, UK

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