title: Chemodectomas arising in temporal bone structures.
abstract: Eighteen patients with chemodectomas arising in temporal bone structures were evaluated and treated at the University of Florida. Seventeen patients have each been followed a minimum of 3 years. Patients were retrospectively staged as having "local" or "advanced" disease, depending on the presence or absence of bone destruction and/or cranial nerve involvement. Fourteen of the patients received radiation therapy as all or part of their therapy; 6 patients were treated with radiation therapy alone, 3 patients were irradiated immediately postoperatively for residual disease, and 5 patients had radiation therapy for recurrence after operation. They were treated with cobalt-60 radiation with doses ranging from 3760 to 5640 rad. All irradiated patients demonstrated evidence of tumor regression, and none have had tumor recurrence with followup of 3-12 years. Of the 8 patients with cranial nerve paralysis prior to therapy, 5 had return of function of 1 or more cranial nerves. One of 6 patients treated initially with radiation therapy had a complication, while 6 of 8 patients irradiated postoperatively had complications. None of the complications were fatal. Three patients treated by operation for early disease limited to the hypotympanum had the disease controlled for 11-12 years. Guidelines for the selection of initial therapy are discussed.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010236:Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013701:Temporal Bone