D35.5: Benign neoplasm: Carotid body

When there is abnormal growth of tissue in an organ, then this is also referred to as a tumor. The tissue in the body is made up of cells. A tumor disorder involves the cells multiplying more than normal. This results in abnormal or excess tissue forming. A tumor can be benign or malignant. The tumor you have is benign. Benign tumors do not destroy the healthy tissue and do not spread throughout the body.

On both sides of the neck there is an artery running up towards the head. This artery divides into two further arteries. There are special nerve cells where the artery branches off. These nerve cells measure the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. They also measure things like how high the blood pressure is. These nerve cells can use messenger substances to influence things like the level of oxygen, carbon dioxide and blood pressure.

Nerve cells are part of the nervous system. The nervous system has tasks throughout the body and passes information on through the body. For example, the nervous system mediates stress responses. When a nerve cell tumor forms, then this can trigger lots of symptoms. You can then have blood pressure that is too high. You may also feel shaky and very tense.

However, it is also possible that you will have no symptoms at all.