Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

Vestibular Schwannoma question

RJLJ
  • 1 reply
  • 35 subscribers
  • 128 views

My partner has a large 240mm Vestibular Schwannoma and is due to have Gamma Knife Radiation in January. He has lately been saying he has new symptoms, taste/tongue, and his face feels different on the side of the tumour. His headaches and dizziness appear to be getting worse. When he talks about these new symptoms I suggest he should inform his consultant but he won't and just gets angry with me, says he just wants me to listen, and walks out etc. I don't know what to do. Should he report this or just wait for pre op?

  • Hi RJLJ,

    Thank you for contacting us and welcome to the online community. I’m Lorna one of the cancer information nurse specialists on the support line.

    I’m sorry to hear that your husband has been experiencing some symptoms that have been worrying you. It can be difficult trying to decide when you should contact someone for advice or not.

    We would always suggest contacting your husbands GP or consultant with any new or worsening symptoms. They will be able to assess him and offer any advice and support he may need.

    Vestibular schwannomas or acoustic neuromas are non-cancerous (benign) brain tumours that start in the nerve that connects the brain to the ear. Stereotactic radiotherapy (Gamma knife) is a way of giving radiotherapy precisely to a brain tumour. It’s usually given as a single high dose of radiotherapy, or sometimes it may be divided into smaller doses (fractions) given over a few days.

    Your husbands diagnosis and treatment may make him feel low in mood and it’s common for people to be irritable and angry at times. It might be helpful to reach out to our forum or get in touch with Brain tumour support.

    I hope this information has been helpful,

     Please feel free to give us a call on our helpline, 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us if you would like to discuss further.

    Best Wishes

    Lorna 

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    Ref LB/KH

     


    Lorna-Macmillan (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)
Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2024 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007