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Intracardiac lymphoma in a child: successful treatment with chemotherapy alone

B Agarwala1, C M Rubin

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Children's Hospital, 5839 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.

Pediatric Cardiology
|June 24, 2000
PubMed

Insights

A pediatric patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma experienced cardiac symptoms due to large tumor masses. Chemotherapy successfully resolved these cardiac tumors without surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Cardiology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a significant diagnosis in pediatric patients.
  • Cardiac involvement in pediatric NHL is rare but can lead to severe complications.
  • Early detection and management are crucial for improving outcomes.

Observation:

  • A 5-year-old female with a history of NHL presented with cough and palpitations.
  • Physical examination revealed a characteristic cardiac tumor plop.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Findings:

  • Transthoracic echocardiogram identified multiple large tumor masses in both the right and left atria.
  • The right atrial tumor exhibited significant mobility, prolapsing through the tricuspid valve orifice.
  • Complete resolution of cardiac tumors was achieved with chemotherapy, obviating the need for surgical intervention.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for cardiac infiltration in pediatric NHL.
  • Chemotherapy alone can be an effective treatment for cardiac tumors secondary to NHL.
  • Non-invasive management strategies should be considered in similar pediatric cases.

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