The PUMCH Classification of Carotid Body Tumor

Carotid body tumor is a rare neoplasm located at the bifurcation of the carotid artery. Surgical excision is the main treatment but carries a high risk of bleeding, nerve injury and vascular injury. Shamblin's classification is based on the relationship between tumor and carotid arteries, which has limitations. Including both the horizontal relationship to carotid arteries and vertical extension of the tumors, PUMCH (Peking union medical college hospital) classification can better predict surgical complications and guide the surgery and thus might help to improve the surgical outcomes of the lesions.