[Cardiac primary lymphoma].

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Primary cardiac lymphoma is an exceptionally rare malignancy.
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can rarely originate in the heart.

Observation:

• A 60-year-old female presented with an 8-month febrile syndrome.
• Initial echocardiograms were negative; transesophageal echocardiogram revealed cardiac tumors.
• Subsequent lymph node biopsy confirmed diffuse non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Findings:

• The patient had probable primary cardiac lymphoma with secondary lymph node involvement.
• Despite chemotherapy, autopsy revealed persistent microscopic cardiac lesions.
• Histology and phenotypic markers of cardiac and lymph node lesions were identical.

Implications:

• This case underscores the diagnostic challenges of primary cardiac lymphoma.
• It highlights the potential for persistent microscopic disease despite macroscopic remission.
• Further research into early detection and treatment of cardiac lymphomas is warranted.