08-19-2018, 04:46 PM
Tumors metastatic to the heart (e.g. mesothelioma, melanoma) are more common than primary cardiac tumors.
Cardiac metastases most commonly involve the pericardium; thus, patients can initially present with manifestations of tamponade (e.g. hypotension, distended neck veins, distant heart sounds) secondary to a neoplastic pericardial effusion.
Myxoma: Most common primary cardiac tumor in adults. Forms a pedunculated mass in the left atrium 90% of the time.
Clinical manifestations of cardiac myxomas include:
• Syncope*
• Embolization (e.g. stroke)
• Constitutional symptoms (e.g. fatigue fever, weight loss)
*Myxomas create an obstructive “ball-valve” effect that blocks the mitral orifice, leading to decreased left ventricular filling and cardiac output.
An early diastolic murmur known as a “tumor plop” is characteristic of atrial myxoma.
Histologically, myxomas are composed of stellate cells within a mucopolysaccharide matrix containing abundant inflammatory and endothelial cells.
Rhabdomyoma: Most common primary cardiac tumor in children. It is a benign tumor of striated muscle.
Associated with tuberous sclerosis
Like cardiac myxomas, cardiac rhabdomyomas can also cause syncopal episodes.