Primary cardiac tumours: when is surgery necessary?

Abstract

Most of the cardiac tumours in children are benign. Spontaneous regression is possible not only in rhabdomyoma. Surgical intervention is only required for children who develop relevant clinical symptoms. Total resection of the tumour is not the only therapeutic aim; more important is the restoration of the best possible heart function.

Partial resection of giant rhabdomyoma of the right ventricle in a neonate

“…Even rarer are symptomatic rhabdomyomas in neonates [2]. They can be life-threatening because of their position, and can mimic not only structural cardiac disease but also arrhythmia and intermittent cyanosis [4]. The necessity for tumor resection in neonates is very spo- [1].…”

“…As rhabdomyomas tend to resolve with time, a complete resection of the tumor is not obligatory, especially, as in our patient, if it penetrates the heart muscle and the size of the tumor is huge. The most important is restoration of the best possible hemodynamic heart function [4]. Partial removal of the rhabdomyoma not only can facilitate the procedure, but also heart muscle tissues are preserved.…”

“…Therapy should be individualized in pediatrics. The necessity and time of surgery should be decided according to the tumor size and time of regression and symptoms of the pediatric patient [4]. In our case we decided first to treat the patient conservatively with antiarrhythmic agents, prostaglandin infusion, and oxygen therapy.…”

Right atrial tumor suspected myxoma in an 11-year-old girl

“…This treatment is curative; the earlier the diagnosis is confirmed and the earlier surgery is performed and the better the prognosis of the patient. 7,8,14 Most myxomas are pedunculated and must be removed as one mass, as intraoperative fragmentation may lead to embolization or recurrence. Operative mortality is 0% to 3% in multiple series.…”

Uncommon Multicystic Lesion of the Interventricular Septum in a 7-Year-Old Boy: Unusual Presentation of an Intracardiac Teratoma

“…Curative treatment can be achieved by total surgical excision. Long-term follow-up with regular cardiac imaging is strongly recommended, because recurrence of intracardiac teratomas has been occasionally reported [7].…”