Carotid body tumor. The Lahey Clinic experience.

We believe that paragangliomas of the carotid body should be excised in all patients unless formidable medical conditions prohibit the use of general anesthesia. If these tumors are left unresected, they will eventually grow to invade the skull and kill the patient. With definitive diagnostic modalities available, in addition to comparatively low-risk anesthesia, autotransfusion, and replacement of the carotid artery, there are few patients who cannot be surgically treated. The important point is that although such a tumor is rare, its presence must always be considered when dealing with a lateral neck mass. Carotid arteriography should be performed when a carotid body tumor is suspected.