Cardiac Tumors

Snapshot

• A 56-year-old man presents to his primary care physician for shortness of breath and episodes of lightheadedness. He says that his symptoms progressively worsened over the course of months. He recalls producing bloody sputum a few weeks ago and fainting for a few seconds yesterday night. Medical history is unremarkable. He denies alcohol, illicit drug, or cigarette use. Physical examination is remarkable for a “tumor plop” appreciated during diastole. An echocardiogram is performed and shows a left intra-atrial pedunculated mass. (Atrial myxoma)

Introduction

• Cardiac tumors
  • these can be divided into
    • primary cardiac tumors
      • myxoma (most common primary cardiac tumor)
        • occur mainly in the left atrium
      • rhabdomyoma
    • metastatic tumors
      • most common cardiac tumors overall
• primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare and are more likely to be benign

Cardiac Tumors