Carotid Body Tumour Treatment in India

Karan Ali, a 58-year-old taxi driver...

Karan Ali, a 58-year-old taxi driver from Bradford, had always been the strong, silent type, supporting his family after emigrating from Pakistan decades ago. For over a year, he'd ignored a persistent, painless lump on the left side of his neck, dismissing it as 'just getting older'. But when he started experiencing dizzy spells while driving and occasional difficulty swallowing his favourite chai, his wife insisted he see a doctor. His GP referred him to ENT, where an ultrasound and subsequent MRI revealed a 3.5cm carotid body tumour. The consultant, Mr. Davies, explained the tumour was benign but growing, and its location wrapped around critical blood vessels meant it posed a significant stroke risk if left untreated. Karan was terrified; driving was his livelihood and he feared being a burden. The surgery was complex, taking five hours to meticulously dissect the tumour from the carotid artery. The immediate post-op period in HDU was daunting, with a neck drain and hoarse voice. However, within weeks, his dizziness vanished and his swallowing improved. Six months on, with only a neat scar as a reminder and his voice nearly back to normal, Karan feels a profound sense of relief. He's back behind the wheel, grateful for his second chance, and now speaks openly to his community about not ignoring health warnings.