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Primary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the heart

Gustavo E Guajardo-Salinas1, Javier E Anaya-Ayala, David C Rice

  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Texas Heart Institute Journal
|March 8, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This case study details the successful palliative resection of a rare, high-grade neuroendocrine heart tumor. Surgical intervention prolonged survival and improved outcomes for a patient with advanced cardiac obstruction.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Oncology
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Primary cardiac neuroendocrine tumors are exceedingly rare.
  • High-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the heart presents a significant surgical challenge due to potential for rapid growth and obstruction.

Observation:

  • A 70-year-old male presented with progressive dyspnea due to a large, solitary, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma.
  • The tumor extensively involved the right atrium, superior and inferior vena cavae, aortic root, and interatrial septum.

Findings:

  • Palliative tumor resection, excluding the aortic root and trigone, was performed, followed by reconstruction of the right atrium and interatrial septum.
  • The patient recovered well with only minor local recurrence at 18 months post-surgery.

Implications:

  • Palliative resection of large neuroendocrine cardiac tumors can achieve favorable outcomes and extend patient survival.
  • This case highlights the feasibility of surgical management for primary high-grade neuroendocrine cardiac tumors, even with extensive involvement.

Keywords:
Carcinoma, neuroendocrine/surgerydiagnosis, differentialheart neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology/pathology/surgeryneuroendocrine tumors/diagnosistreatment outcome

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