Acoustic tumor management in senior citizens.

We reviewed records of 116 consecutive acoustic tumor surgery patients aged 65 and older during the 10 years ending in 1984. One hundred six had total removal. Ninety-four (81%) had no intraoperative complications and 66 (57%) had no postoperative complications. Only one patient, who had previously undergone partial removal elsewhere, died. Because tumors grow at 2 mm per year, and because elderly patients can expect to live up to 18 more years, we recommend planned total removal of an acoustic tumor as the management of choice for senior citizens in good health. We feel that the advantages of immediate surgery outweigh the risks of delayed surgery when age is advanced, the tumor is enlarged, and general health may be declining.