Carotid Body Tumours and Other Paragangliomas
Being told you have a rare growth in your neck — such as a carotid body tumour or paraganglioma — can be understandably concerning. While these tumours are often noncancerous (benign) and treatable, they still require careful assessment and expert management. Because these tumours are uncommon, it’s not always easy to find the prompt care you need or consultants with the right experience. At Cleveland Clinic London, our specialists bring their expertise to the diagnosis and treatment of rare tumours like these, offering you the focused attention and tailored care you deserve.
Why Choose Us To Treat Carotid Body Tumours and Other Paragangliomas?
Recognized expertise:
any of our private consultants come to us from London’s top teaching hospitals, bringing their expertise with them. Our team provides prompt, research-based treatment options, often seeing new patients within a few days. This means treatment can begin quickly, sometimes within a few weeks of your initial evaluation. Meet our team.
Specialised knowledge:
Carotid body tumours and other paragangliomas account for less than 1% of head and neck tumour diagnoses — and many surgeons may only see a handful throughout their careers. At Cleveland Clinic London, we treat these tumours regularly, with patients travelling from across the UK and abroad for our experienced, coordinated approach.
Collaborative care:
A team of speciality consultants will work together to plan and manage your treatment. Depending on the tumour’s size and what blood vessels it affects, you may see vascular surgeons, head and neck specialists (otolaryngologists), neurosurgeons, skull-base surgeons, endocrinologists and interventional radiologists.
Understanding Carotid Body Tumours and Other Paragangliomas
Carotid body tumours and other paragangliomas form as a cluster of cells where your two carotid arteries branch out into smaller vessels that carry blood from your heart to your brain.
These tumours aren’t congenital (you’re not born with them) and they seem to be more common in women and in people older than 20.
They’re often painless, and time may pass before these tumours are large enough to require surgery. When this happens, they can press on other blood vessels and tissues in the area, causing problems such as:
What To Expect During Your Initial Evaluation
When you meet with us for the first time, we’ll do a thorough evaluation. As part of this process, you’ll have the chance to share your story with your consultant. This allows our team to learn more about you and what you’ve been experiencing. We’ll also discuss what you can expect at each step. And you’ll have advanced imaging and genetic testing to help us determine if the tumour is likely to spread to other parts of your body (metastasise).
Afterwards, our team will review your test results and notes from your evaluation to craft a recommended treatment plan.
Consultants Who Treat Carotid Body Tumors and Paragangliomas
Locations
Our consultants see patients in modern and technologically advanced facilities in the heart of London.Treating Carotid Body Tumours and Other Paragangliomas
Once you decide to move forward, you’ll receive expert care that’s personalised to your specific diagnosis and needs.
Surgery
If your consultant recommends removing the tumour, you’ll typically have a surgical team of a vascular surgeon and a head and neck surgeon there to help you. For a large tumour, your surgeons may use a minimally invasive procedure called an embolisation before you have surgery. This technique blocks or closes a specific blood vessel to disrupt the blood flow to the tumour, helping it shrink before removal during surgery.
After surgery, you can expect to stay in hospital for a few days. You’ll spend your first night under around-the-clock monitoring in our intensive care unit — one of the largest and most technically advanced of all U.K. private hospitals. Throughout your stay, we’ll be there to support your recovery and answer any questions you may have.
Additional treatments
Besides surgery, we provide care for other conditions that can be related to paragangliomas, including:
- High blood pressure treatment: Some paragangliomas produce hormones that raise your blood pressure. Our endocrinologists may recommend therapies to lower it.
- Radiotherapy: If your tumour is large enough to require surgery, but there are reasons why it isn’t a good fit for you at this point, we may recommend radiotherapy treatment to destroy the growth. This treatment is available through our partnership with The London Clinic.
- Rehabilitative therapy: Large tumours can sometimes damage nerves that support speaking and swallowing. If this happens, our physiotherapists and gastroenterologists will help restore as much of your voice and swallowing ability as possible.
Follow-up care
Even with successful treatment, paragangliomas sometimes come back (recur). You’ll continue to see your consultant for regular exams and testing. This can help us catch and treat the earliest signs of recurrence.
Paying for Care at Cleveland Clinic London
When you come to Cleveland Clinic London for care, you’ll have options for settling your account. We accept private medical insurance and offer self-pay services, including instalment plans through our partner, Chrysalis Finance.
Before you start treatment, our billing experts will provide a detailed quote with the most transparent pricing possible. If you need more nights in hospital, extra services or have multiple consultants providing care, your bill may be higher than your original quote.
What’s Next?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a rare but treatable tumour in your neck, you’ll want timely care from specialists who understand the condition. At Cleveland Clinic London, our private consultants have extensive experience treating carotid body tumours and other paragangliomas. We aim to schedule your evaluation promptly — and, where appropriate, begin treatment soon after your first visit.
Appointments
Ready to see us? We’re ready for you and look forward to the opportunity to assist with your needs. We’re available to take your call Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. You’re also welcome to request an appointment online.
Self-Pay
We offer convenient self-pay services. But what does that mean? With this option, you’ll benefit from transparent pricing, access to unparalleled care, and the expertise of our consultants.
Private Insurance
Need help using your private insurance? We make it easy to get your referral, authorisation and make sure everything’s covered so you can come into your appointment with one less thing to worry about.
