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Diffuse involvement of the heart and great vessels in primary cardiac lymphoma

Aysel Aydin Kaderli1, Ibrahim Baran, Ozlem Aydin

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Uludag University Faculty of Medicine, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey. ayselkaderli@yahoo.com

European Journal of Echocardiography : the Journal of the Working Group on Echocardiography of the European Society of Cardiology
|September 18, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is rare. This case report details a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the heart, highlighting diagnostic imaging and chemotherapy response before a fatal sepsis complication.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Oncology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is an exceptionally rare condition.
  • Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can rarely involve the heart and great vessels.

Observation:

  • A 57-year-old male presented with DLBCL affecting the heart.
  • Diagnosis was established using trans-thoracic echocardiography and confirmed with FDG PET/CT, revealing diffuse cardiac metabolic activity and intracardiac lesions.

Findings:

  • Systemic chemotherapy led to significant tumor regression within 13 days, as shown by echocardiography.
  • Despite initial response, the patient developed pneumonia post-chemotherapy, leading to sepsis and death.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the utility of echocardiography and FDG PET/CT in diagnosing PCL.
  • It highlights the potential for rapid tumor response to chemotherapy in PCL but also the critical risk of infectious complications.
  • Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for managing this rare malignancy.

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