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Published on: July 17, 2013
Regression of cardiac angiosarcoma in a 17-year-old: a percutaneous biopsy effect
Noor Sharrack1, Martine Parent2, Christopher Lethaby3
1Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. n.sharrack@leeds.ac.uk.
Background:
Cardiac angiosarcoma is a very rare and aggressive primary cardiac tumor associated with poor prognosis. Diagnosis is often delayed due to non-specific symptoms, with most cases involving metastases at the time of diagnosis. We describe a unique case of apparent tumor regression of cardiac angiosarcoma post percutaneous biopsy.
Case Presentation:
A young male was admitted with suspected pericarditis. Echocardiogram revealed a pericardial mass. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) suggested primary cardiac malignancy. Percutaneous biopsy was inconclusive, with subsequent CMR demonstrating apparent tumor regression. Interval imaging revealed further tumor growth, and surgical biopsy revealed primary cardiac angiosarcoma (PCAS). Causes of tumor regression following percutaneous biopsy are discussed.
Conclusions:
Cases of suspected primary cardiac malignancy require careful follow up with serial multimodality imaging. Percutaneous biopsy effects should be considered in cases of tumor regression, and serial imaging should be planned afterwards.
