The role of radiation therapy in the management of catecholamine-secreting glomus tumors

The major source of controversy that surrounds the use of radiation for glomus tumors is the finding of persistent chief cells years after completion of the treatment. Questions have been raised as to the viability of the irradiated chief cell and its capacity to proliferate. The radiotherapists consider a stable glomus tumor a radiation "cure," whereas skull base surgeons are fearful that these lesions will continue to slowly grow and cause problems 20 to 30 years later. We have recently managed a patient who was not a candidate for surgery, with a catecholamine-secreting glomus jugulare tumor. After 4750 rad of radiation therapy, no changes in tumor size or in catecholamine secretion have been observed (at 20 months of followup). The implications of the case are discussed.