can rapid growth be malignant

[Operalovers]

I was diagnosed with AN in left ear 3 years ago. It is not growing but a routine scan a year ago showed another AN on the right side 4mm. I had genetic testing but it is not NF2. A year later it is 9.5mm and I was sent to an oncologist regarding Gamma knife. The oncologist says the growth has been rapid and there is a slight chance it is cancerous. I am waiting to have another MRI as my last one was 2 months ago. Has anyone else had experience of this please?

[whitefishbay]

No sorry. I didn't think ANs were ever malignant. Fingers crossed for you.

[GGourmet]

A vestibular Schwannoma is benign but there is always a risk that the tumour isn’t a vestibular Schwannoma. That said, for the acoustic nerve to be impacted on the other side would most like appear to be a dreadful coincidence.

Considering you might possibly have had the first one for some years, there is always a possibility that chance might throw you a nasty hand.

Your consultant should be providing reassurance in this matter and I would be contacting them for exactly that.

[Operalovers in reply to GGourmet]

Thank you for that. Yes I am thinking along similar lines. I will call the oncologist tomorrow

[Operalovers in reply to Operalovers]

Hospital rang me. MRI and CT scan next Thursday. If results are Ok Gamma Knife on September 14th. If results not ok and they suspect not a AN or AN malignant they will call me. In the meantime we will go on holiday for a week and have a lovely time Thanks for your support

[MiamiNola]

Hi. Have you been tested for NF2? That can be the cause of AN in both ears.

[MiamiNola in reply to MiamiNola]

Both sides I should say. Hope you get answers quickly.

[Operalovers in reply to MiamiNola]

Yes had genetic testing. It is not NF2

[MiamiNola in reply to Operalovers]

That’s good news. Hope you get answers very soon.

[Pinkrose1]

I am so sorry to hear you have it on both sides! What a stressful situation. I have never heard of them being cancerous so hopefully all is good with yours and your treatment is successful.

[Operalovers]

Many thanks

[Spooky69]

I tried to write to you for days but I couldn't find what to say. Finally I thought be honest. What you have is what I was terrified off, getting a AN on both sides. I had a very large one removed from my right side in 1989. The size of a golf ball, I lost everything. But you are on to yours quick and there will be better results. Don't be hesitant with the surgeons, find out what you need too, I was told "no regrowth from mine" what do you know I was diagnosed with two small tumors on the right side again, in Sept, from the last incision. But I can't lose much more on that side of my face, so I'm not real concerned. You have to steel yours self to be as tough as nails. It's a war you are going to fight and you have to win. You will lose some soldiers but not the war. I don't know if I agree with being kind to yourself and rest, I don't think that will see you through this, get tough. I will give your permission to use my saying. When I found out about my squatters, I said "well that's a bitch I could really get mean", and mean it. Take care, I hope you have a craft to disappear into and someone you can bitch to. I hope the doctors can get to them when they are both of a smaller size and I have heard that if there is bi-lateral AN's they are usually benign.

My thoughts are with you Spooky69

[Operalovers in reply to Spooky69]

Thank you for your reply. I think we are two of a kind. The left AN which I have named Boris is not growing. The right one which I have named Donald was Gamma Knifed about 6 weeks ago. Have to wait for brain swelling to reduce before I can have MRI to see if Donald has stopped growing. In the meantime pretty deaf on both sides and very wobbly but all in all just getting on with life as normal. Tinnitus bad but keeping very busy and learning to block it out. I think we just both deal with each AN as it arrives, get it treated and get on with life. Good luck with your next step and hope it is over soon. Off to Italy tomorrow 😀

Operalovers