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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
Cerebral Liposarcoma Embolus From Heart Metastasis Successfully Treated by Endovascular Extraction Followed by
Maria Passhak1, Yaaqov Amsalem2, Eugene Vlodavsky3,4
11 Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
Insights
A rare case of liposarcoma metastasis to the heart caused a stroke. Successful endovascular retrieval and cardiac surgery allowed the patient to survive for 3 years on chemotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cardiac metastasis from liposarcoma is rare.
- Tumor emboli can cause cerebrovascular events.
Observation:
- A patient presented with a stroke due to tumor emboli originating from a cardiac liposarcoma metastasis.
Findings:
- Successful endovascular mechanical retrieval of the tumor embolus followed by cardiac surgery.
- The patient remains alive and on chemotherapy 3 years post-intervention.
Implications:
- Consider cardiac tumor emboli in oncology patients with new neurological symptoms.
- Aggressive treatment is viable for select patients with good performance status and limited metastatic disease.
Abstract:
The current case presents a patient with a tumor emboli stroke as a presenting symptom of a liposarcoma metastasis to the heart that was treated successfully with endovascular mechanical retrieval, followed by subsequent cardiac surgery. The patient is still alive, under chemotherapy treatment, 3 years following the interventions. This scenario should be considered as a part of the differential diagnosis of oncology patients presenting with new central neurological symptoms. This active approach can be an effective treatment if the patient is fit and there is no evidence of widespread disease.
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