[Pericardial involvement in leukemia and malignant lymphoma]

Pericardial exudate and/or spread of the tumour to the pericardium occurs frequently in leukaemia and malignant lymphomata. Metastases to the pericardium may be demonstrated at autopsy in 50% and 20-25%, respectively. In the majority of cases no symptoms from the heart occur. In cases with significant pericardial effusion or constrictive pericarditis, urgent treatment is indicated. Pericardiocentesis is carried out in cases of cardiac tamponade. Irradiation has frequently a rapid and dramatic effect in cases of massive tumour infiltration in the pericardium. Long-term treatment depends on the malignant haematological disease concerned. Meticulous diagnostic investigation is therefore indicated in every case with cardiac symptoms. This has frequently therapeutic consequences, reduces the morbidity and prolongs survival. Two cases of acute pericardial effusion with haemodynamic consequences are reviewed in this article. The haematological diagnoses were acute myeloid leukaemia and malignant lymphoma (diffuse large-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), respectively.