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Injection of Syngeneic Murine Melanoma Cells to Determine Their Metastatic Potential in the Lungs
Published on: May 24, 2016
Multiple cardiac metastases from a malignant melanoma
Dimitrios N Chrissos1, Pavlos N Stougiannos, Dimitrios Z Mytas
1Cardiology Department, Hippokration Hospital, 114 Vas. Sofias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece. dimchrissos@panarkadiko.gr
Summary
Metastatic melanoma to the heart is increasingly common. Early echocardiography diagnosis of cardiac tumors is crucial for patient prognosis and treatment, despite challenges.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Metastatic tumors to the heart and pericardium are more frequent than primary cardiac tumors.
- Their incidence is rising due to improved cancer survival and disease prevalence.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old patient with a history of malignant melanoma presented with fatigue, dyspnea, and syncope.
- Echocardiography revealed extensive cardiac metastases involving the pericardium, myocardium, and right atrium, causing tricuspid valve stenosis.
Findings:
- Malignant metastasis was confirmed via pericardiocentesis.
- Despite chemotherapy, the patient succumbed to the disease four months post-diagnosis.
Implications:
- Early detection of cardiac melanoma is vital for therapeutic and prognostic outcomes.
- Echocardiography, particularly the transesophageal approach, is the preferred diagnostic tool for intracardiac metastatic tumors.
