UC San Diego Acoustic Neuroma Program

11/20/2025

📣Take a listen!

New podcast with the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: "Microsurgical Outcomes in 1000 Patients With Cerebellopontine Angle Tumors: A Comprehensive Cohort Analysis" is live now!

Dr Friedman discusses the findings of this outcome analysis in 1000 patients at UC San Diego Health performed by Dr Friedman and Dr Schwartz.

Click to listen to the podcast and to read the full article.

Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Rick Friedman, MD, PhD, and Associate Editor James G. Naples, MD, to discuss their findings in "Microsurgical Outcomes in 1000 Patients With Cerebellopontine Angle Tumors: A Comprehensive Cohort Analysis," whic...

11/13/2025

“I am a 77 year old vibrant woman. I go to the gym, walk and eat healthy. I was always the picture of health until early this year when I started having issues with my balance and headaches. At first, I thought it was sinus issues but then I noticed the hearing in my right ear was pretty much gone. I went to the ENT doctor and he did test including an MRI and that’s when they found an Acoustic Neuroma. WHAT?! I had no idea what that was. After doing research on the subject, I decided to look for the best place to have surgery. I found UCSD Doctors Friedman and Schwartz. After talking to me in April of this year, they agreed to do the surgery and it was scheduled for this past September. During those months I awaited surgery, I went to Balance Therapy at Fyzical Balance Therapy in Las Vegas, twice a week. When September came around, I was as go as I could get without surgery. The surgery couldn’t have gone better. The expertise of Doctors Friedman and Schwartz paid off. I came out of surgery with none of the possible complications. After 2 days in the hospital, I was able to come home headache free. I even had my balance back. I will forever be grateful to the wonderful caring Doctors and Nursing staff at UCSD. The entire program from the beginning, with the help of Kris my UCSD navigator, to my follow up care - the entire program is wonderful. I am blessed.”

Thank you for sharing your story, Carol! Below, she is pictured out for a walk with her dogs 🐾

10/01/2025

One in a Million: UC San Diego Alum Runs the Chicago Marathon 25 Months After Acoustic Neuroma Surgery

"On October 13, 2024, I crossed the finish line of the Chicago Marathon. For me, it wasn’t just about running 26.2 miles; it was the fulfillment of a lifelong goal, one I wasn’t sure I’d ever get the chance to achieve.

Marathons have always fascinated me. They’re a test of physical endurance, mental toughness, and human resilience. Statistically, only about 1 in 100,000 people will ever run a marathon. Coincidentally, about 1 in 100,000 people are diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, a rare benign brain tumor. I had both realities intersect in my life. Running the Chicago Marathon after surviving acoustic neuroma surgery felt like the universe’s way of making me “one in a million.”

On September 13, 2022, I underwent surgery at UC San Diego Health to remove my acoustic neuroma. My surgeons, Dr. Rick Friedman and Dr. Marc Schwartz gave me not just their expertise but also the confidence that I could come out the other side of this diagnosis with my life and my dreams still intact. The tumor left me with permanent single-sided deafness and challenges with balance, and in those first days post-op, running wasn’t even on the horizon. Standing for the first time was an achievement. Taking my first steps was a milestone. Each moment was about learning how to live again in a new body with new limitations. But through it all, the idea of running the Chicago Marathon never left me. It was more than a race. It was a symbol of possibility. Many people told me I shouldn’t even think about running a marathon after brain surgery. That doubt only fueled my determination.

Training was grueling. My hearing loss made running near traffic and in unfamiliar areas difficult, even dangerous. I had to adapt where and how I trained, staying alert in ways most runners don’t have to think about. The long runs tested more than just endurance; they tested patience, resilience, and the ability to quiet the doubts that crept in.

Still, every mile felt like progress. Each step forward reminded me of how far I’d come—from the uncertainty of waking up after surgery, to the shaky first steps in recovery, to the moment I laced up for my first tentative run again.

Crossing the finish line in Chicago was a wave of emotions all at once: joy, gratitude, disbelief, pride. In that moment, I carried with me not only the 26.2 miles of the marathon, but also the 25 months of recovery, determination, and perseverance that had led me there.

Running the Chicago Marathon was never just about checking a box on a bucket list. It was about reclaiming a dream and proving, to myself most of all, that life after a brain tumor could still hold extraordinary possibilities.

I may be just one person but having both run a marathon and lived through acoustic neuroma surgery, I can say this with certainty: sometimes being “one in a million” isn’t just a statistic. It’s a story of resilience. And I am deeply grateful to UC San Diego Health and to Dr. Friedman and Dr. Schwartz for making that story possible."

Thank you, Dr. Sharma, for sharing your incredible recovery story with us!

"I was diagnosed with a brain tumor...and I took that personally"

06/16/2025

At just 13, Lexi faced hearing loss from a rare brain tumor. Discover how expert surgeons at UC San Diego Health preserved her hearing and changed her life.

06/11/2025

Our UC San Diego Health Acoustic Neuroma Program is made up of so many caring individuals across multiple specialties - all committed to best-in-class care for our patients. We were excited to design and wear our very own shirt this year to show our support and create awareness throughout our campus and community! We 💙 our patients! Acoustic Neuroma Association

06/10/2025

week is here! Informed decisions. Better Outcomes.

All week the Acoustic Neuroma Association will be sharing information and presentations on various topics. You can catch Dr Friedman and Dr Schwartz presenting "Overview of AN Surgical Options and What to Expect" tomorrow at 2pm EST. It will be released on Facebook, their website and in their video libraries.

Week 2025 - Informed decisions. Better outcomes.
Be sure to visit ANAUSA.org/awareness for a full schedule, registration, our AN Warrior Gallery, and information about World Vestibular Schwannoma Awareness Day.

05/01/2025

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month 🩶🧠!

03/14/2025

The March issue of the ANA's Newsletter, Notes, is now available in the ANA member section at https://www.anausa.org/member-login

Our team is proud to share our research grant update!

"Genetic Analysis of VS uncovers new mutations and proteins potentially impacting symptoms and treatment"

Thank you to the Acoustic Neuroma Association for supporting this important research!

02/14/2025

Tammie Warren had hearing loss in one ear and an acoustic neuroma in the other. Surgery at UC San Diego Health prevented her from going deaf.

02/12/2025

Lexi Jo's Journey: From Uncertainty to Hope

In March, our vibrant 13-year-old daughter, Lexi, began experiencing some alarming symptoms—hearing loss, dizziness, and tingling in her face. We went to several doctors, searching for answers, and eventually discovered she had an acoustic neuroma.
The diagnosis was overwhelming, and navigating her care in our home state left us feeling lost, with no clear path forward. That’s when a friend of a friend recommended Dr. Friedman and his team in San Diego. From the very first conversation, Dr. Friedman and his team offered us a lifeline, guiding us through difficult decisions and helping us overcome every hurdle with expertise and compassion.
At the time of her diagnosis, Lexi had lost about 60% of her hearing. We prepared ourselves for the possibility of losing more. However, thanks to the incredible work of Dr. Friedman and Dr. Schwartz, Lexi’s surgery was a resounding success. Not only did they remove the tumor, but they also preserved 100% of her hearing.

Lexi is a bright light in our lives and in her community. She’s active in school, softball, volleyball, and everything she loves. Thanks to this amazing team, she’s back to doing what she does best—spreading joy and living her life to the fullest.

We can’t express our gratitude enough to Dr. Friedman, Dr. Schwartz, and their incredible team for giving Lexi her spark back. Their care and dedication made all the difference in her journey, and we are forever thankful. ❤️ - Laci (Lexi's mom)