Initial Observation among Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma

Abstract

Introduction Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are slow growing tumors. Although there are a wide variety of available treatment options, these tumors are often initially observed. We aimed to establish the presenting symptoms and outcomes of patients treated with initial observation at our institution. Methods The medical records of patients with radiographically diagnosed VS were reviewed from 1989 to 2018. Actuarial estimates of radiographic tumor control and freedom of local therapy were calculated and compared using Cox regression analyses. Results A total of 360 patients were diagnosed with VS at our institution from 1989 through 2018 with a median age of 59.9 years. After radiographic diagnosis, 243 patients (67.5%) opted for initial observation. Local control at 1, 5, and 10 years was 91, 67, and 58%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with shorter time to radiographic tumor progression included younger patient age (p = 0.016) and tumors with an extracanalicular component (p = 0.032). Regarding time until definitive treatment only larger baseline American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) tumor size predicted for earlier initiation of therapy (p < 0.001), although this was restricted to tumors with an extracanalicular component (p = 0.004), as opposed to purely internal auditory canal tumors (p = 0.839). Conclusions Many patients who were initially observed continued to have satisfactory local control rates at 10 years. In patients with extracanalicular tumors, larger AAO-HNS tumor measurements were associated with earlier radiographic tumor progression and shorter time to local therapy, with 7 mm serving as a potential threshold value for extracanalicular tumors. Younger patients and tumors with primarily an extracanalicular portion may warrant closer observation.

COMMENT UPON: MOSHTAGHI ET AL. PAPER THAT APPEARED IN THE JULY 2023 ISSUE OF OTOLOGY & NEUROTOLOGY TITLED “THE EFFECT OF IMMEDIATE MICROSURGICAL RESECTION OF VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMA ON HEARING PRESERVATION”

“…This implies that reviews encompassing all tumor sizes may overestimate the growth for small tumors. In longer-term follow-up, a 2021 study of 243 followed VSs demonstrated a 5-year growth rate of only 33%, which rose to 42% at 10 years (6).…”