[Lymphatic, hepatic and osseous metastasis of a carotid chemodectoma. Apropos of a case].

A case of malignant carotid body tumor with nodal, hepatic and bone metastases is reported. Carotid body chemodectomas are slow-growing tumors which invade local structures. These tumors are usually benign but can occasionally produce local and distant metastases. Development of metastatic localizations is the only formal proof of malignancy as histology cannot distinguish between benign and malignant chemodectomas. Bilateral carotid arteriography gives the diagnosis. Surgery is the basis of treatment and should be performed early in the course to limit operative complications. Radiotherapy can be given as adjuvant treatment.