Cardiac Tumors

Question 1

What is a Myxoma?

Answer 1

Benign mesenchymal (connective tissue) tumor with a gelatinous appearance and abundant ground substance on histology.

Question 2

What is the most common primary cardiac tumor in adults?

Answer 2

Myxoma

Question 3

What is the usual presentation of a myxoma?

Answer 3

Usually forms a pedunculated mass in the left atrium that causes syncope due to obstruction of the mitral valve (no blood gets to the brain due to tumor blocking the mitral valve)

Question 4

What is a Rhabdomyoma?

Answer 4

Benign hamartoma (disorganized mix of cells and tissues) of cardiac muscle

Question 5

What is the most common primary cardiac tumor in children?

Answer 5

Rhabdomyoma

Question 6

What is a HIGH YIELD association with Rhabdomyoma?

Answer 6

It is associated with tuberous sclerosis

Question 7

Where does a Rhabdomyoma most often occur?

Answer 7

Usually arises in the ventricle

Question 8

What is more common than primary tumors in cardiac pathology?

Answer 8

Metastasis!!

-Metastatic tumors are most common in the heart than primary tumors

Question 9

What are common metastasis to the heart?

Answer 9

Common metastases include:

• Breast and Lung carcinoma
• Melanoma
• Lymphoma

Question 10

What do metastasis to the heart most commonly involve? What does this result in?

Answer 10

Pericardium

Pericardial effusion!