Cardiac Tumors

 CARDIAC TUMORS

Primary cardiac tumors are rare. The majority are benign; the malignant tumors are sarcomas. Treatment is excision.

·            Cardiac myxoma is a benign tumor usually arising within the left atrium nearthe fossa ovalis in decades 3-6 of life; it can present like mitral valve disease. In 10% of cases there is an autosomal dominant condition known as Carney complex (myxomas with endocrine abnormalities and lentigines or pigmented nevi). Cardiac myxoma is characterized microscopically by stellate-shaped cells within a myxoid background. Complications include tumor emboli and “ball-valve” obstruction of the valves.

 

·            Cardiac rhabdomyoma is a benign tumor usually arising within the myo­cardium that is associated with tuberous sclerosis.