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Cardiac Tumor Pathology pp 31–44Cite as

Cardiac Myxoma

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Part of the book series: Current Clinical Pathology ((CCPATH))

Abstract

Primary cardiac tumors are rare and cardiac myxomas represent the most common neoplasia among these. The mean age at diagnosis is 50 years and they are mainly found in females, localized to foramen ovale in the left atrium, and in up to 5 % of cases overriding it. Cardiac myxomas are usually single tumors, but rarely they can be multiple and familial. They have uncertain histogenesis and show a wide range of clinical presentations that may mimic a variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions. Cardiac myxomas may cause recurrent strokes, peripheral or pulmonary embolism, and constitutional symptoms, syncope or even sudden death. These tumor characteristics, together with possible tumor relapse following incomplete surgical resection, have contributed to the controversial issue of malignant myxomas or metastatic potential of cardiac myxomas. Several histological, cytogenetic, and molecular studies have been investigating their pathological and biological characteristics, including mechanisms of growth and embolic potential, and increasing evidences are confirming the benign biology of cardiac myxoma. Modern histological criteria and diagnostic tools (i.e., immunohistochemistry and molecular biology) are helpful for differential diagnosis from myxoid sarcomas that may share similar gross features but have malignant behavior and often poor prognosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Histopathology Department, “GB Ingrassia” Catania University, via Santa Sofia, 87, Catania, 95123, Italy

    Giovanni Bartoloni M.D.

  2. Histopathology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera-Pisa University Hospital, via Roma, Pisa, 56126, Italy

    Angela Pucci M.D.

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  1. Giovanni Bartoloni M.D.
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Correspondence to Giovanni Bartoloni M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Department of Cardiac, University of Padua, Padova, 35121, Italy

    Cristina Basso

  2. Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Department of Cardiac,, University of Padua, Padova, 35121, Italy

    Marialuisa Valente

  3. Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Department of Cardiac,, University of Padua, Padova, 35121, Italy

    Gaetano Thiene

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Bartoloni, G., Pucci, A. (2013). Cardiac Myxoma. In: Basso, C., Valente, M., Thiene, G. (eds) Cardiac Tumor Pathology. Current Clinical Pathology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-143-1_3

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