How many growing vestibular schwannomas tend to stop growing without any treatment?

Kim, D., Crowther, J. A., Taylor, W. A.S., Locke, R. and Kontorinis, G. (2023) How many growing vestibular schwannomas tend to stop growing without any treatment? Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 137(2), pp. 127-132. (doi: 10.1017/S0022215122000299) (PMID:35086584)

Abstract

Objective: To determine the long-term, spontaneous growth arrest rates in a large cohort of Vestibular Schwannomas (VS). Methods: Retrospective case series of 735 VS patients organised in four groups: A patients with growing VS that stopped growing, B with growing VS and conservative management, C with growing VS and active treatment, and D with stable VS. We recorded demographics, tumour sizes and VS growth rate (mm/month). Results: 288 patients (39.2%) had growing VSs; 103 patients (35.8%) were managed conservatively with 52 patients (50.5% of the conservative-management group, 18% of the total growing VS) showing growth arrest, which occurred on average 4 years following the diagnosis; 82% of VS stopped growing within 5 years. Only differences between age (p = 0.016), and VS size (p = 0.0008) were significant. Conclusion: Approximately 20% of growing VS will stop growing spontaneously, predominantly within the first 5 years; this is important for long-term management.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Crowther, Mr John and Kontorinis, Mr Georgios
• Authors: Kim, D., Crowther, J. A., Taylor, W. A.S., Locke, R., and Kontorinis, G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Journal of Laryngology and Otology
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 0022-2151
• ISSN (Online): 1748-5460
• Published Online: 28 January 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Laryngology and Otology 137(2): 127-132
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License