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[Hemangiosarcoma of the heart]
Insights
A rare heart tumor, hemangiosarcoma, was treated in a young woman. Combined radiation and chemotherapy temporarily eliminated the tumor, but metastases led to death.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Hemangiosarcoma is the most common malignant tumor of the heart.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing cardiac tumors.
Observation:
- A 27-year-old woman presented with dyspnea, superior caval vein congestion, and paroxysmal tachycardia.
- Diagnostic imaging revealed cardiac enlargement, pericardial effusion, a right atrial tumor, and superior caval vein involvement with azygos vein bypass.
- Thoracotomy confirmed an inoperable hemangiosarcoma.
Findings:
- Combined irradiation and chemotherapy led to complete tumor disappearance and temporary symptom relief.
- The patient later developed metastases and died 13 months post-diagnosis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and treatment strategies for cardiac hemangiosarcoma.
- Multimodal therapy can achieve temporary remission, but prognosis remains poor due to metastatic potential.
Abstract:
The clinical appearance, typical localization, diagnostic procedure and the treatment of hemangiosarcoma--the most frequent malignant tumor of the heart are reported by the case of a 27 years old woman. The patient suffered from dyspnea, congestion of the superior caval vein and paroxysmal tachycardia. X-ray showed cardiac enlargement due to pericardial effusion. Echocardiography revealed a large tumor in the right atrium. Computertomography and angiocardiography showed tumor masses at the orifice of the superior caval vein and a bypass of the blood flow via the azygos vein. Thoracotomy yielded an inoperable hemangiosarcoma. By the combined treatment of irradiation and chemotherapy the cardiac tumor completely disappeared, the patient was temporary symptomless. Later metastases occurred and the patient died 13 months after diagnosis.