Surgical resection for isolated cardiac metastases

We performed what we believe to be the second successful resection of metastatic liposarcoma to the heart using cardiopulmonary bypass. Analysis of ten previous resections of cardiac metastases from a variety of tumors from distant primary sites revealed survivals from four months to two years. When patients can tolerate a major operative procedure, resection of solitary cardiac metastases can be successful if the primary tumor is well controlled. Patients with sarcomas and with long disease-free intervals should strongly be considered for aggressive surgical therapy. Computed tomographic scans of the chest were useful in the diagnosis and accurate delineation of the extent of tumor.