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Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Cardiac tumors--diagnosis and surgical treatment
Andreas Hoffmeier1, Jürgen R Sindermann, Hans H Scheld
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital of Münster.
Background:
Primary tumors of the heart are rare even in major cardiac surgery centers. Because of the low case numbers, there is an insufficient evidence base to determine the optimal treatment, particularly for malignant tumors.
Method:
The authors review the pertinent literature retrieved by a selective PubMed search on the terms "cardiac tumor," "heart tumor," "cardiac myxoma," and "cardiac sarcoma." They also present operative techniques and their own long-term results in 181 patients with cardiac tumors.
Results:
Patients with cardiac tumors generally have nonspecific symptoms depending on the site of the tumor and the extent of infiltration into the neighboring tissue. The diagnosis is based on the clinical history, echocardiography (in most cases), and, sometimes, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Autopsy studies reveal a 0.02% prevalence of cardiac tumors, of which 75% are benign and 25% malignant. Myxoma is the most common benign tumor (50-70%); angiosarcoma is the most common malignant one (30%), followed by rhabdomyosarcoma (20%). About 10% of all tumor patients develop cardiac metastases, but these are only rarely clinically manifest. From 1989 to 2012, 181 patients underwent surgery for cardiac tumors in the authors' institution. The 5-year survival rates were 83% for benign tumors (139 patients), 30% for malignant tumors (26 patients), and 26% for cardiac metastases (16 patients).
Conclusion:
Patients with cardiac tumors should undergo surgery in a timely fashion in a specialized center. This holds for both malignant and benign tumors, particularly for atrial myxoma, which can cause serious secondary complications by embolization.
Insights
Timely surgical intervention in specialized centers improves outcomes for patients with cardiac tumors. Early surgery is crucial for both benign and malignant heart tumors, especially atrial myxoma, to prevent serious complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Primary cardiac tumors are rare, complicating treatment evidence development.
- Malignant cardiac tumors pose significant therapeutic challenges due to limited data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature and present long-term outcomes for cardiac tumor surgery.
- To highlight optimal treatment strategies for primary and metastatic cardiac tumors.
Main Methods:
- Selective PubMed literature search using terms: "cardiac tumor," "heart tumor," "cardiac myxoma," and "cardiac sarcoma."
- Analysis of surgical techniques and outcomes in 181 patients with cardiac tumors treated between 1989 and 2012.
Main Results:
- Cardiac tumors present with nonspecific symptoms; diagnosis relies on clinical history, echocardiography, CT, and MRI.
- Autopsy prevalence of cardiac tumors is 0.02%; 75% benign (myxoma most common), 25% malignant (angiosarcoma most common).
- Five-year survival rates: 83% for benign, 30% for malignant, and 26% for metastases. Surgery was performed on 181 patients.
Conclusions:
- Timely surgical management in specialized centers is recommended for all cardiac tumors.
- Early intervention is critical for atrial myxoma to prevent embolic complications.
- Prompt surgical treatment improves survival rates for both benign and malignant cardiac tumors.
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