Carotid body tumours.

Carotid body tumours are rare, but important. Their reputation for slow growth and virtual non-malignancy has had, in the light of experience, to be revised. Sudden spurts of growth are well known, and the tumour may become irremovable in a relatively short time. Aggressive local invasion and widespread metastasis are now well recognized. Histological features are no guide to malignancy. These tumors can nearly all be removed with an acceptable mortality and morbidity, without damage to the internal carotid artery. Ideally the diagnosis should be made by clinical acumen and confirmatory X-ray examination. Biopsy makes subsequent removal of the tumour much more difficult, and should be avoided if at all possible. Eleven personal cases of carotid body tumours are reported, and the technique of surgical excision is discussed in detail.