Introduction.

Carcinoma of the carotid glomus is rare and occurs in 6% of carotid paragangliomas. There is often difficulty in its preoperative diagnosis, and it is not easily differentiated from its benign counterpart, which can lead to surgical complications. This study describes the experience in its clinical and surgical approach in a series of cases, as well as a review of the literature of its diagnosis, therapeutic approach, survival, and mortality.

Methods.

Of the patients operated for carotid glomus over a 20-year period, those undergoing surgery for carcinoma were identified. An extensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment.

Results.

Out of a total of 139 patients who underwent carotid body tumor resection surgery, three patients (2.2%) had carcinoma. Two had cervical metastases and one had liver metastases. One had bilateral glomus associated with a genetic disorder of familial origin. Surgery and adjuvant surgery were performed in all cases.

Discussion.

The preoperative differential diagnosis between benign and malignant glomus is difficult, for which clinical findings or risk factors that may suggest malignancy should be sought. Images rarely show clear features of vascular invasion. Whenever possible in the treatment of carotid glomus cancer, surgical resection should be performed, accompanied by a functional neck dissection, leaving radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy as adjuvant therapies.

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