Cardiac Tumors

심장종양 6례 보고

Primary cardiac tumors are uncommon in all age group. In contrast, tumors metastatic to the heart are significantly more common. On rare occasions, tumor may extend into the heart chamber via inferior vena cava from other parts of the body, such as liver, kidney, and uterus cava. With recent advancement in diagnostic imaging modalities and surgical techniques, cardiac tumors are now potentially curably form of heart disease. The most important factor in diagnosing the tumor is a high index of clinical suspicion. Six patients underwent surgical removal of intracardiac tumor during a 5-year period. The mean age of the 4 women and two men was 40 years [range 23 to 60]. All patients were operated on in the last five years of the studied period. All patients had symptoms varying in duration from 1 month to 4 years [average 13 months]. 2-Dimensional echocardiography contributed most to preoperative diagnosis, confirming presence of an intracardiac tumor in all examined patients. Of the six intracardiac tumor, 5 were myxomas [4 left atrial and 1 right ventricular] and one right atrial metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver. In all cases, tumor masses were successfully excised. One patient expired after the operation on account of low cardiac out-put syndrome. Remained one patient among six, tumor mass extended into RA and RV with a stalk via IVC. On later follow-up study showed cold area on liver scan [hepatocellular ca.], so she was transferred to internal medicine, department for chemotherapy. Follow up results showed no signs of tumor recurrence in 4 myxoma cases.