Cardiac Masses and Tumors

Abstract

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has advantages over echocardiography for the evaluation of cardiac masses, providing improved tissue discrimination and better assessment of the components of cardiac masses (such as fat, water, vascularization, fibrosis, necrosis). CMR and also cardiac computed tomography enable a detailed assessment of the relationship with adjacent structures, aiding the planification of potential surgical strategies. CMR also allows ionizing radiation-free surveillance of mass progression or regression after treatment. Cardiac tumors are very rare (0.06% of all primary tumors), although they can evolve to thromboembolic, compressive, and/or arrhythmic complications. Cardiac masses can be classified as pseudotumors (nonneoplastic structures that may simulate cardiac tumors) and tumors. By means of accurate tissue characterization, CMR allows accurate discrimination between these. Furthermore, it can recognize several indicators of tumor malignancy and even individualize specific characteristics of certain benign tumors.