Management of Chemodectoma

Chemodectomas usually arise in the temporal bone near the ear.  Less commonly, they arise adjacent to the carotid artery in the neck.  The treatment of choice for smaller tumors that are removable with minimal morbidity is surgery.  On the other hand, if the tumor is advanced and surgery would result in a significant risk of complications and possibly permanent neurologic deficits, such as sacrifice of some of the cranial nerves, the treatment of choice is radiation therapy.  Radiation therapy usually consists of 5 weeks of treatment given once a day to a moderate dose.  The chance of cure with radiation therapy is 90% or higher.