Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare and usually require complex surgical resection. We present a case of a large 7-cm CBT successfully treated in a community cancer center using a multidisciplinary team approach.
A 32-year-old male referred for surgical evaluation of an asymptomatic right neck mass. CT angiography showed a 7-cm tumor encasing the carotid vessels, including the bifurcation (Shamblin III). Preoperative angiography and embolization were performed by interventional radiology. The patient underwent surgical removal of the CBTs and required surgical reconstruction with a common carotid to internal carotid bypass using a polytetrafluoroethylene interposition graft. The hypoglossal nerve, vagus nerve and glossopharyngeal nerve were identified, meticulously dissected and preserved. The patient did well after surgery and recovered with no complications. This report examines the diagnosis, preoperative workup and surgical management of CBTs using a multidisciplinary team approach.
A 43 year old female presented to the emergency department for nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain secondary to a bowel obstruction subsequently revealed to be a poorly differentiated large cell neuroendocrine tumor of the colon. After a CT scan showed a mass in the ascending colon with possible metastasis to the right lobe of the liver, an exploratory laparotomy was performed. A hemicolectomy was performed with biopsy of the liver mass. Pathology was consistent with large cell neuroendocrine tumor in all specimens including the liver biopsy, ascending colon, and transverse colon. Although large cell neuroendocrine tumors of the colon are a rare malignancy, they are an important consideration in the workup of multiple colonic masses with metastases, especially in patients presenting with bowel obstruction. The literature on poorly differentiated large cell neuroendocrine cancer and treatment is reviewed. Poorly differentiated large cell neuroendocrine tumor is a rare pathology but should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with a colon mass and bowel obstruction.
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