Chemotherapy of bilateral acoustic neuromas.

In patients with bilateral acoustic neuromas, it is not unusual for the tumors to be of unequal size. At the time of the first examination, the smaller tumor may have already destroyed the hearing, while the ear with residual hearing may harbor a large acoustic neuroma. The remaining hearing is then at great risk if surgical removal of the tumor is attempted. Chemotherapy of bilateral acoustic neuromas is here presented as a possible alternative to surgery in those patients whose prognosis for conservation of hearing is poor.