Hi;
I'm new to the group so don't know the posting rules; Thus; Please forgive, Drs, if I say something in error or out of line here.
JoJo; I have had two of these schwannomas, known as acoustic neuromas in an area affecting the 7th and 8th cranial nerves. Basically, the inner ear and facial nerve.
I'm not remembering the 4th nerve right now and will soon look, but assume it is related to the eyes?
When you say "increasing size", I'm unsure what you base that on as no MRI has been performed yet. This test is vital to a good diagnosis and need be done with gadolinium contrast. 2 MRIs would be needed about 6 months-1 yr. apart to establish baseline.
Schwann cell tumors grow slowly most of the time ( 1 - 2 mm. per year ) but at your Dad's age, have a tendency to slow or stop growing.
I personally doubt herniation and re, "life sentence", would need to know size and location in proximity to the brain stem to assay that, which is truly Dr. territory, of which I'm not.
Hope this helps a little... Best wishes to your father and you in this. I can appreciate your concern.
Russ
For months a nagging neck pain worsened. After 12 doctors, 2 MRI'S, 3 X-RAYS, and and EMG it was finally diagnosed as a T-1 schwannoma. It is large. It hurts like you would not believe. Right now I am scheduled for a "pain pacemaker", as I call it, to deliver pain meds directly into the area on a timed basis. I do this to avoid major surgery; that would be an immense undertaking. I do not want by spine opened unless absolutely necessary.