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Atrial metastasis detected by two-dimensional echocardiography
Gil Bar-Sela1, Myriam Weyl Ben Arush, Shimon Reisner
1Department of Oncology Rambam Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. g_barsela@rambam.health.gov.il
Acta Oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden)
|April 8, 2004
Summary
Cardiac metastasis, particularly atrial tumors, is increasingly recognized. Echocardiography effectively detects these secondary tumors, aiding in diagnosis and monitoring, even in asymptomatic patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Improved cancer survival rates are leading to an increased incidence of cardiac metastasis.
- Atrial metastases, though historically underdiagnosed, are becoming more relevant in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze cases of atrial metastases diagnosed via echocardiography.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of echocardiography in identifying secondary atrial tumors.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 10 patients with various solid malignancies and atrial involvement.
- Echocardiography (transesophageal and transthoracic) was used for diagnosis and monitoring.
- Therapeutic interventions included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
Main Results:
- Echocardiography successfully detected atrial metastases in all 10 patients.
- Seven patients presented with cardiac symptoms; three were asymptomatic.
- Survival varied, with two patients alive at 20+ and 50+ months, while eight died within 3-24 months.
Conclusions:
- Atrial metastases are likely more prevalent than previously thought.
- Echocardiography is a valuable tool for diagnosing secondary atrial tumors, including in asymptomatic individuals.
- Echocardiography aids in monitoring treatment response for atrial metastases.