NODAL, HEPATIC AND BONE METASTASIS OF A C AROTID-BODY CHEMODECTOMA

A case of malignant carotid body tumor with nodal, hepatic and bone me tastases is reported. Carotid body chemodectomas are slow-growing tumo rs 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 his tology cannot distinguish between benign and malignant chemodectomas. Bilateral carotoid arteriography gives the diagnosis. Surgery is the b asis of treatment and should be performed early in the course to limit operative complications. Radiotherapy can be given as adjuvant treatm ent.