Right ventricular outflow obstruction with squamous cell carcinoma of unknown origin

A 60-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of chest tightness. CT scans showed no specific findings except a right ventricular (RV) mass. Echocardiogram revealed that the large cardiac mass was compressing the right ventricular outflow tract, and the patient thus underwent an emergency operation. As the tumour on the inlet side of the right ventricle was tightly adhered to the entire tricuspid chordae, a complete resection was impossible. Pathological findings revealed that the tumour was metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Four cycles of chemotherapy were administered. Further investigations were conducted to identify the primary cancer focus, but there were no specific findings. Eight months after the operation, the patient returned to the hospital. Echocardiogram showed a severely occupying mass once again, and the patient died as a result. Autopsy revealed no findings relating to the primary origin of the cardiac metastases.