Cardiac Angiosarcoma Presenting With Right Coronary Artery Pseudoaneurysm

Abstract

ANGIOSARCOMA OF THE HEART, although rare, is the most common primary malignant cardiac tumor. 1 Yu K. Liu Y. Wang H. et al. Epidemiological and pathological characteristics of cardiac tumors: A clinical study of 242 cases. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2007; 6: 636-639 Crossref PubMed Scopus (121) Google Scholar Prognosis is poor regardless of treatment, although survival is longest when surgical resection is possible. 2 Putnam Jr, J.B. Sweeney M.S. Colon R. et al. Primary cardiac sarcomas. Ann Thorac Surg. 1991; 51: 906-910 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (262) Google Scholar , 3 Simpson L. Kumar S.K. Okuno S.H. et al. Malignant primary cardiac tumors: Review of a single institution experience. Cancer. 2008; 112: 2440-2446 Crossref PubMed Scopus (204) Google Scholar Diagnosis is usually delayed because this tumor is typically associated with a variety of nonspecific symptoms. 3 Simpson L. Kumar S.K. Okuno S.H. et al. Malignant primary cardiac tumors: Review of a single institution experience. Cancer. 2008; 112: 2440-2446 Crossref PubMed Scopus (204) Google Scholar , 4 Donsbeck A.V. Ranchere D. Coindre J.M. et al. Primary cardiac sarcomas: An immunohistochemical and grading study with long-term follow-up of 24 cases. Histopathology. 1999; 34: 295-304 Crossref PubMed Scopus (163) Google Scholar The authors describe a patient with metastatic cardiac angiosarcoma whose presentation before diagnosis included a pericardial hematoma as a result of a coronary artery pseudoaneurysm.