Cardiac Tumors

Question 1

What is the most common primary cardiac tumor in adults? What does it form and what does it lead to?

Answer 1

Myxoma which is a benign mesenchymal tumor with a gelatinous appearance and abundant ground substance on histology. Usually forms a pedunculated mass in the left atrium that causes syncope due to obstruction of the mitral valve.

Question 2

What is the most common primary cardiac tumor in children? What does it cause and where does it arise?

Answer 2

Rhabdomyoma which is a benign hamartoma of cardiac muscle. Associated with tuberous sclerosis. Usually arises in the ventricle.

Question 3

Which type of tumors are common in the heart? Where do these tumors come from? Which layer is involved and what does it cause?

Answer 3

Metastatic tumors from the breast, lung, melanoma and lymphoma. Involve pericardium resulting in pericardial effusion.