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Published on: February 28, 2018

Cardiac granulocytic sarcoma diagnosed by intracardiac echocardiography-guided biopsy

Mirta Koželj1, Darko Zorman2, Blaž Mrevlje2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška 7, 1525, Ljubljana, Slovenia. mirta.kozelj@mf.uni-lj.si.

International Journal of Hematology
|May 24, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Granulocytic sarcoma, a rare heart tumour, can cause cardiac tamponade. This case highlights successful multimodal treatment including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and stem cell transplant for this aggressive malignancy.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Oncology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition often caused by fluid accumulation around the heart.
  • Granulocytic sarcoma is an extramedullary tumor of myeloid blasts, rarely involving the heart.

Observation:

  • A 52-year-old man presented with cardiac tamponade and a large right atrial mass obstructing superior vena cava flow.
  • Imaging revealed extracardiac tumor invasion of the atrial wall extending to the pulmonary hilus.

Findings:

  • Intracardiac echocardiography-guided biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of granulocytic sarcoma of the heart.
  • The patient achieved disease remission after radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering rare diagnoses like cardiac granulocytic sarcoma in patients with unexplained cardiac tamponade.
  • Multimodal therapy can be effective in managing this aggressive extramedullary malignancy.
  • Successful treatment offers hope for long-term survival in patients with cardiac involvement.

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