Symptomatic cardiac metastasis responding to pazopanib in a patient with renal cell carcinoma
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Published on: March 14, 2019
Ramin Behzadigohar1, Mark A Rosenthal, Ben Tran
1Department of Medical Oncology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract:
We report a case of an 82-year-old man with renal cell carcinoma who developed a cardiac metastasis within the interventricular septum. He had been under watchful waiting for indolent metastatic renal cell carcinoma for many years before developing symptoms consistent with heart failure. At this time, a 44 mm interventricular septal mass, consistent with a cardiac metastasis, was identified as the cause of his symptoms. Pazopanib was initiated which led to both a clinical and radiological response.
Insights
This case study details an 82-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who developed heart failure due to a cardiac metastasis. Treatment with pazopanib resulted in significant clinical and radiological improvement.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can rarely spread to the heart.
- Cardiac metastases can lead to significant patient morbidity and mortality.
Observation:
- An 82-year-old male patient with a history of indolent metastatic renal cell carcinoma presented with symptoms of heart failure.
- Cardiac imaging revealed a large mass (44 mm) within the interventricular septum, diagnosed as a cardiac metastasis.
Findings:
- The interventricular septal mass was identified as the cause of the patient's heart failure symptoms.
- Initiation of pazopanib therapy led to a notable clinical improvement and a reduction in the size of the cardiac metastasis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering cardiac metastasis in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma presenting with heart failure.
- Pazopanib demonstrates potential efficacy in managing cardiac metastases from renal cell carcinoma.
- Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms and optimal management of cardiac metastases in renal cell carcinoma.

