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Published on: November 15, 2013
[Not Available]
Andreas Hoffmeier1, M Semik, Ch Schmid
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Thorax-, Herz- und Gefäßchirurgie Universitätsklinik Münster Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33 48149 Münster, Germany Tel.: +49-251-8347401 Fax: +49-251-8348316 E-Mail: andreas.hoffmeier@thgms.uni-muenster.de, DE.
Insights
An 85-year-old patient with heart failure due to Burkitt lymphoma achieved complete remission with chemotherapy. This elderly patient recovered significantly, improving from NYHA class III to I after treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Hematology
Context:
- An 85-year-old patient presented with progressive heart failure symptoms (NYHA III).
- Cardiac imaging revealed an unexpected heart tumor, prompting further investigation.
- The patient's advanced age precluded surgical intervention.
Purpose:
- To diagnose the cause of cardiac deterioration in an elderly patient.
- To establish the specific type of malignancy affecting the heart.
- To determine an appropriate treatment strategy for cardiac Burkitt lymphoma in an elderly patient.
Summary:
- Cardiac imaging (echocardiography and CT) identified a heart tumor in an 85-year-old patient.
- A transvenous biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma.
- The patient received 6 courses of chemotherapy (CHOP regimen) due to age, tolerating it well and achieving complete tumor remission.
Impact:
- Successful chemotherapy treatment led to complete remission of cardiac Burkitt lymphoma.
- The patient experienced significant functional improvement, progressing from NYHA class III to NYHA class I.
- This case highlights the feasibility of chemotherapy for cardiac lymphoma in elderly patients, avoiding surgery.
Abstract:
An 85-year-old patient suffered from progressive deterioration (NYHA III) for several months. Cardiac disease was suspected. Echocardiography as well as a CT scan of the heart revealed a heart tumor to be the cause. Tumor staging was negative. After transvenous biopsy, the diagnosis of a Burkitt lymphoma could be established. Due to the advanced age of the patient, the intented surgical therapy was turned down and the patient was treated with 6 courses of a potentially therapeutic chemotherapy (CHOP scheme), which was well tolerated by the patient. The following CT scan showed a complete remission of the tumor. Six months after chemotherapy the patient is in NYHA stage I.
