The histopathological and clinical features of irradiated and nonirradiated temporal paragangliomas.

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of radiation on temporal paragangliomas. The histological features were assessed in a blind fashion from 20 surgical specimens obtained from 20 patients, half of whom received radiotherapy. All patients had progressive temporal paragangliomas and were selected on a random basis for this study. The derived data clearly identify the unpredictable response of these tumors to radiation and supports our contention that surgery is the preferred form of treatment for temporal paragangliomas even after radiation therapy. Analysis of clinical histories reveals that previous radiation therapy is associated with a greater operative blood loss and a longer mean postoperative hospital stay due to delayed healing. Despite this, there was no mortality or serious morbidity from surgery.