Carotid body tumors, also called chemodectomas, are vascular tumors that arise from the paraganglionic cells in the outer layer of the carotid artery (the artery that supplies blood to the head), and develops at the point where the artery branches into the internal and external carotid arteries.
This disease, which may be hereditary, is more common in South America than in North America. Tumors can become sizeable before causing symptoms, such as a painless, pulsating mass in the upper neck, and, eventually, difficulty in swallowing. Ten percent of these tumors occur on both sides of the carotid artery. Carotid body tumors are diagnosed using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and sometimes angiography. These tumors are generally benign; only about 5 to 10 percent are malignant. Treatment includes surgery and occasionally radiation therapy.
