• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.816-819
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• 1998

Myxomas are the most common form of intracardiac tumors and are found primarily in the left atrium. In rare cases, Carney and associates have described a syndrome called "the complex of myxoma" consisting of cardiac myxoma, which characteristically is familial, in assocation with two or more of the follow conditions: myxomatous masses (cardiac myxoma, cutaneous myxosma, and mammary myxoid fibroademoma), spotty pigmented lesions of the skin, and endocrine disorders. We report a case of familial atrial myxoma with Carney's complex in a 19-year old woman who has spotty pigmentations on her face, and left atrial myxomas, and myxoma on the right nipple. Her mother and sister share the left atrial myxoma. The myxomas originated in the septum of the left atrium and the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve were successfully excised. In conclusion, family members of affected patients should be screened periodically with echocardiography in an attempt to identify asymptomatic cardiac myxomas. Complete excision and postoperative follow up are necessary to rule out the muticentricity and high rate of recurrent lesions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2010

Ten percent of all myxomas are the familial form. Familial myxomas appear to have autosomal dominant transmission. We experienced two siblings with familial myxomas. A left atrial myxoma was surgically removed in a 21-year-old woman. Six years later, other myxomas were found in the right atrium and the left atrium and these were also surgically removed. Right ventricular and right atrial myxomas were surgically excised in her brother. The two siblings were found to have frame-shift mutations in the PRKAR1A gene (c.537delA; p.Gly180GlufsX26), which is the causative gene for Carney complex. Obtaining the genetic diagnosis makes it possible to prepare more effective therapeutic strategies for these patients and the gene carriers. Complete excision, ruling out multicentricity and proper postoperative follow up are all necessary to avoid recurrence of myxoma.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.471-473
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• 2017

Herein, we report on a family with Carney complex. Four members of the family underwent a total of 11 open heart operations as well as 9 other operations to treat extrathoracic masses. All the family members met at least 2 major clinical criteria and 1 supplemental criterion. We analyzed their genomic loci, including the protein kinase A regulatory subunit 1 gene. The results revealed no specific mutations, except for a common single nucleotide polymorphism. This case series of Carney complex emphasizes the importance of close longitudinal follow-up because of the high rate of tumor recurrence irrespective of the site. Clinicians should not overlook the specific features of familial myxoma.