Microscopic organlets located in and around the walls of large vessels in the head and neck region, detecting oxygen, carbon dioxide levels and blood PH (measure of acidity) in the blood, are called 'Carotid Bodies'. Tumors originating from these organs, which are generally benign, are called 'Glomus Tumor' ('Non-Chromaffin Paraganglioma', 'Chemodectoma').
Although these tumors are almost always benign, they cannot be treated due to their location. It presents some difficulties. As with most benign tumors, the main treatment for these tumors is surgery. When they can be removed surgically, there is no need for other additional treatments.
What are the symptoms of glomus tumor?
Patients usually have long-standing tumors in the neck due to a slow-growing glomus tumor or paraganglioma. They consult a physician with complaints of swelling. Sometimes, the presence of this tumor is detected in neck ultrasound, CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) examinations performed for other reasons, and the patient, who was unaware of the existence of such a tumor until then, searches for a physician.
Glomus. The tumor does not cause complaints such as pain, dizziness or serious limitation in neck movements. It grows silently over the years without making itself obvious.
What are the causes of glomus tumor?
As with many benign tumors, the cause of glomus tumor is not clearly known. There is a hereditary inheritance in some patients, that is, the formation of the tumor depends on genetic reasons.
Which doctor should be consulted in case of suspicion of glomus tumor?
Diagnosis and treatment of glomus tumor in our country is generally experienced in head and neck surgery. -Undertaken by Nose-Throat physicians. However, some cardiovascular surgeons are also interested in the treatment of such tumors in the neck region.
Where is a glomus tumor seen in the neck?
A glomus tumor typically occurs where the carotid artery, known as the carotid artery, is divided into two. It is located in the fork region.
In addition, it may, less commonly, originate from the upper part of the 'vagus' nerve, which originates from the skull and extends to the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. This region is the area where the glomus caroticum tumor originates. Even though it is located slightly above the tumor, it can be difficult to distinguish between two tumors even with the help of examinations such as MRI and CT. The exact origin of the tumor is sometimes determined during surgery.
How is the diagnosis of glomus tumor made?
Glomus tumor or other tumors of the neck region that are confused with glomus (schwannoma originating from nerves, lymph node enlargements, etc.). When there is a suspicion of ...), one or more radiological examinations such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI are usually performed.
Some physicians perform angiography (imaging of the vessels) or MR angiography to examine the relationship of these tumors with the vessels in more detail. It also requires imaging methods such as CT angiography.
Although needle biopsy is usually used for diagnosis in other parts of the neck except this region, this tumor is located in a small area because vital structures such as vessels and nerves are cramped. Needle biopsy is generally not performed around the carotid artery from which it is taken.
MRI, CT, ultrasound images show a clear distinction between glomus tumors and especially 'Schwannoma' (pronounced as schwannoma) tumors located in this region. can't do it once. Since needle biopsy or open biopsy is not performed in this region, the definitive diagnosis of Glomus and Schwannoma tumors is often made during surgery.
Another tumor that is often confused with Glomus tumor: Schwannoma
Schwannoma (pronounced as Schwannoma)
It is a tumor in the neck region whose symptoms, examination findings and radiological features are very similar to glomus tumors (paragangliomas). Serious radiology knowledge and experience is required to distinguish Schwannoma tumor from Glomus tumors. Schwannomas, which develop from the cells in the sheath of the nerves, can be observed in the neck as well as in every part of the body.
The treatment of Schwannomas is surgical removal of the tumor, as in Glomus tumor surgeries. However, after this tumor is removed, some problems may arise that may affect the patient's life due to the dysfunction of the nerve from which it originates.
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