A 40-year-old woman is suspected of having a carotid body tumor. Which one of the following is most characteristic of such a tumor?Carotid body tumor

Carotid body tumor is the most common type of paraganglioma in the head and neck region, followed by the glomus jugular tumor. Carotid body tumor grows slowly, rarely metastasizes, and may secrete catecholamines. The tumor usually is supplied by the external carotid artery, and dissection to remove it off the carotid bifurcation may be difficult and cause bleeding. Malignancy occurs in 6% of patients.