[Cardiac tumors in children and adults: A Multicentric retrospective study]

Cardiac tumors are very uncommon at all ages. There are important clinical differences between children and adults in the behavior of these tumors.

To compare the behavior of primary and secondary cardiac tumors, from fetal age to adults.

Multicentric retrospective analysis of 38 children and adults with cardiac tumors, evaluated with echocardiography between January 1995 and August 2001. Medical records, echocardiographic and radiological examinations, surgical protocols and pathologic examinations were reviewed. Follow-up was obtained through data on medical records or calling patients by telephone.

Tumors were diagnosed in 38 patients (13 children and 25 adults), from a total of 31.800 echocardiograms. In children the diagnosis was made by fetal, transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography in 23.6% and 8% of cases, respectively. Eighty five percent were primary (10 benign and 1 malignant) and 15%, secondary tumors. Fifty four percent were rhabdomyomas and 75% regressed spontaneously. Seventy seven percent were symptomatic and 31% were treated with surgery. During a follow up of 44+/-35 months, 31% of patients died. In adults, 76% of tumors were diagnosed by transthoracic and 20% by transesophageal echocardiography. Seventy six percent were primary (18 benign and 1 malignant) and 24% secondary tumors. Fifty six percent were myxomas. Ninety two percent were symptomatic and 84% were treated surgically. Twenty percent of patients died in the early postoperative period. No adult patients had a follow-up.

Rhabdomyomas were solely found in children. In adults, myxomas are the predominant cardiac tumors. Primary and metastasic malignant tumors are observed both in children and in adults.