A Look at Cardiac Myxoma

Cardiac Myxoma is the most common primary cardiac tumor. It arises from the endocardium as a lipidic cell mass embedded in a vascular myxoid stroma. Most myxomas are sporadic and the cause is largely unknown. Familial variants with an autosomal dominant inheritance exist. Myxomas typically develop in females between the second to sixth decades of life. Clinical manifestations can mimic many cardiac conditions and depend on the natural behaviour of the tumor and its location within the heart, ranging from completely asymptomatic to causing sudden death. Establishing an early diagnosis is essential and requires imaging techniques. 2D-Echocardiography is the diagnostic modality of choice however, ultrafast CT or MRI may be required. The preferred treatment is surgical resection which is curative and should be performed as early as possible to avoid systemic complications such as emboli. Patients with cardiac myxoma generally have an excellent prognosis. Following surgical resection, screening for recurrence is prudent, especially among the familial variants, where the recurrence rates may be as high as 20%. Myxomas, although rare, present a varied clinical picture and represent a diagnostic challenge. Consequently, physicians must have a high index of suspicion, since prompt surgical removal improves quality of life and extends survival.