Primary cardiac lymphoma

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Primary cardiac lymphoma is an exceptionally rare malignancy.
• This study details the clinicopathological characteristics of two patients diagnosed with primary cardiac lymphoma.

Observation:

• One patient presented with right atrial lymphoma leading to severe heart failure; diagnosis required surgical biopsy.
• The second patient had pericardial lymphoma with significant effusion, diagnosed via CT, echocardiography, and cytology.
• Both patients received combination chemotherapy (Cyclophosphamide, Oncovin, Procarbazine, Prednisone - COPP).

Findings:

• The first patient succumbed to heart failure during initial chemotherapy.
• The second patient showed a partial response but ultimately died from progressive disease eight weeks later.
• A literature review of 21 cases reinforces the generally poor prognosis associated with primary cardiac tumors.

Implications:

• This case series underscores the aggressive nature and poor prognosis of primary cardiac lymphoma.
• Diagnostic modalities like imaging and cytology are crucial for timely identification.
• Further research into novel therapeutic approaches is warranted for this rare and often fatal condition.