Large B-cell lymphoma of the atria

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Masoud A Alzeerah1, Rajeev Singh, Ammar Jarrous

  • 1North West Texas Hospital, Amarillo, Texas 79106, USA. malzeerah@hotmail.com

Texas Heart Institute Journal
|March 18, 2003
PubMed

Insights

A rare B-cell lymphoma of the atria caused heart failure in a 65-year-old man. Treatment improved symptoms, but brain metastasis developed six months later.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Cardiac tumors are rare, with lymphoma being an uncommon primary cardiac malignancy.
  • Atrial lymphoma can present insidiously, mimicking other conditions.

Observation:

  • A 65-year-old male presented with symptoms of obstructive right-heart failure, including shortness of breath, cirrhosis, and ascites.
  • Computed tomography revealed a large tumor occupying both atria.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with a large, B-cell lymphoma of the atria.
  • Postoperative debulking and chemotherapy led to symptom improvement.
  • Six months later, the patient was alive but had developed brain metastasis.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of cardiac masses, especially in patients with atypical presentations.
  • Early diagnosis and multimodal treatment are crucial for managing cardiac lymphoma.
  • The potential for systemic metastasis, including to the brain, necessitates vigilant follow-up.

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