In light of news that Kelly Stafford, wife of Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, is battling an acoustic neuroma, Rick Friedman, MD, PhD, professor of surgery at UC San Diego Health and co-director of the Acoustic Neuroma Program at UC San Diego Health, is available to speak about the health implications of acoustic neuromas and available treatment options.
Friedman is one of the world’s leading authorities in the treatment of acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor that develops on the main nerve connecting the ear to the brain. While not cancerous, acoustic neuromas present significant threats to a patient’s hearing, balance and facial movements, and surgical removal is a delicate process.
In 2017, Friedman co-created the Acoustic Neuroma Program at UC San Diego Health, expanding the health system’s treatment of rare brain tumors by launching a specialized program for the diagnosis and treatment of acoustic neuromas and skull base tumors. Prior to joining UC San Diego Health, Friedman served as division director of otology, neurotology and skull base surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California. He has treated more than 1,000 acoustic neuromas.
Stafford revealed her brain tumor on Instagram earlier this week, writing in a post that she will undergo surgery in the next few weeks and is “completely terrified.”
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