title: Treatment of Head and Neck Paragangliomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Commonly occurring in the head and neck, paragangliomas are typically benign, highly vascular neoplasms embryologically originating from the extra-adrenal paraganglia of the neural crest. Frequently, these tumors are associated with the vagus or tympanic plexus nerve or the carotid artery, or jugular bulb. Their clinical presentation can vary across a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed and compared standard treatment approaches for paragangliomas of the head and neck.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, surgery is the first-line choice of therapy for carotid body tumors, whereas radiotherapy is the first-line option for jugular and vagal paragangliomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the complexity of clinical scenarios and treatment options for paragangliomas, a multidisciplinary algorithmic approach should be used for treating paragangliomas. The approach should emphasize single-modality treatment that yields excellent rates of tumor control, low rates of severe, iatrogenic morbidity, and the preservation of long-term function in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York City, NY 10016, USA. Kenneth.Hu@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Persky
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*