Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)

What is Gamma Knife for Acoustic Neuroma?

Stereotactic radiosurgery delivers a single highly focused radiation dose (12-13Gy) to a vestibular schwannoma using 192 cobalt-60 beams that converge precisely on the tumor. It halts tumor growth in 90-95% of cases without surgery.

Why China?

• Established centers: Tiantan, Hua Mountain, and PUMC have full Gamma Knife units (Leksell Perfexion)
• Cost: $14,000-$21,000 vs. $40,000-$80,000 in the US
• Same-day procedure: Frame on in morning, treatment, frame off, home by evening
• Hearing preservation: 60-80% at 3 years with low-dose protocols

Who is a candidate?

• Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) ≤3cm
• Patient declines microsurgery or unfit for craniotomy
• Recurrent/residual tumor after subtotal resection
• Other benign skull base tumors (meningioma, pituitary)

Outcomes

Tumor control (no growth): 95-97% at 5 years, 90% at 10 years. Hearing preservation (with low-dose): 60-80%. Facial nerve preservation: >99%. Risk of secondary radiation-induced tumor: <0.5% over 20 years.