Outcomes of Carotid Body Tumor Management with Active Surveillance

To assess outcomes of carotid body tumors (CBTs) managed with active surveillance.

Retrospective chart review of CBTs managed with active surveillance from 2001 to 2019.

A total of 115 cases were identified during chart review. Sixty-five of these patients were managed with active surveillance, and 11 patients had bilateral tumors for a total of 76 tumors. Follow-up records with symptomatic outcomes were available for 51 patients, and 47 tumors had follow-up imaging. Thirty-one (66%) actively surveilled CBTs remained stable or decreased in size while 16 (34%) increased in size. Patients undergoing active surveillance developed symptoms in 12 cases, 6 of these patients underwent surgical intervention. Nine CBTs managed with active surveillance (18%) were ultimately resected. The majority of patients who did not undergo surgical intervention never developed symptoms (36/42, 86%).

Active surveillance may be a reasonable approach for a subset of CBTs.