Primary cardiac lymphoma: two cases and a review of literature

Abstract

BackgroundPrimary cardiac lymphoma is one of the rarest tumours of the heart. It belongs to the extra-nodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. The most common type of this tumour is diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Usually, right atrium and right ventricle are involved. This tumour is fatal unless diagnosed and treated in time. In this article two female patients who were diagnosed with primary cardiac lymphoma and treated at our clinic are described. The first patient went to remission after the treatment, while the second patient died. The goals of this article are to show the difficulties of diagnosing and treating this disease, the role of cardiac surgery in its treatment and to raise awareness of this disease.Case reportsIn this article two female patients who were diagnosed with primary cardiac lymphoma and treated at our clinic are described. The first patient went to remission after the treatment, while the second patient died.ConclusionsPrimary cardiac lymphoma is a very rare disease. At the moment the most effective treatment is chemotherapy. Palliative surgery may be necessary to correct hemodynamics when venous blood flow to the lungs is disturbed.

Cardiac Lymphoma Revealed by Atrial Mass

“…1 There are many modes of revelation varying from fortuitous diagnosis to more specific cardiac symptoms. 1,5,8 Like our patient, the most common type of this tumor is diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Usually, right atrium and right ventricle are involved.…”

“…Usually, right atrium and right ventricle are involved. 5 PCL is fatal, unless it is diagnosed and treated in time. Cardiac surgery was efficient method to biopsy the mass and subsequently histology.…”

Primary cardiac lymphoma in both atria: A case report

“…The clinical symptoms of PCL are nonspecific, including congestive heart failure, pericardial effusion, malignant arrhythmia, etc . Echocardiography can measure the size and location of the tumor . Color Doppler imaging is of great use in evaluating the blood flow disturbances due to the tumor.…”

“…The result showed mild tricuspid regurgitation ( Figure 2A) and a lobulated uneven hypoechoic mass (about 39 cm × 66 mm) in the right atrium with no mobility, and invasion of interatrial septum ( Figure 2B The clinical symptoms of PCL are nonspecific, including congestive heart failure, pericardial effusion, malignant arrhythmia, etc. 3 Echocardiography can measure the size and location of the tumor. 3 Color Doppler imaging is of great use in evaluating the blood flow disturbances due to the tumor.…”

“…3 Echocardiography can measure the size and location of the tumor. 3 Color Doppler imaging is of great use in evaluating the blood flow disturbances due to the tumor. In our case, it showed that the tumor almost completely obstructed the superior vena cava, which is of great value for prognosis and surgical planning.…”