Myxoma history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2] Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3] Ahmad Al Maradni, M.D. [4]
Overview
There are no hallmark findings in cardiac myxoma. However, clinical features of cardiac myxoma are determined by tumor location, size and mobility.[1] Symptoms may occur at any time, but most often they tend to occur with changes in body position. A positive history of systemic embolism and heart failure may be suggestive of cardiac myxoma. The most common symptoms of cardiac myxoma include chest pain, syncope, and dyspnea on exertion. About 20% of cardiac myxomas are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis.[2]
History
Obtaining the history is an important aspect of making a diagnosis of cardiac myxoma. Complete history will help to rule out, familial or multiple myxoma forms and also provide correct therapy. Cardiac myxoma patients usually have an acute onset with complications, such as stroke. Therefore the patient interview may result difficult. In such cases, history from the caregivers or the family members may need to be obtained. Specific histories about the symptoms (duration, onset, progression) or associated symptoms may be useful. Specific areas of focus when obtaining the history, are outlined below:
- Onset, duration and progression of symptoms
- Associated symptoms (dyspnea, orthopnea, pulmonary edema)
- History of hyperpigmentation of the skin or endocrine overactivity
- Symptoms of heart failure
- History of cerebral embolism
Common Symptoms
Symptoms associated with cardiac myxomas are typically due to the effect of the mass of the tumor obstructing the normal blood flow within the heart chambers. Left atrial myxoma symptoms may mimic mitral stenosis, while right atrial myxomas rarely produce symptoms until they have grown to be at least 13 cm wide. [3] General symptoms may also mimic those of infective endocarditis.[4]
Clinical features can be categorized as: [5]
Valvular obstruction
- Left sided: dyspnea, orthopnea, pulmonary edema
- Right sided: symptoms of right heart failure
Embolic event
- Distribution will depend on location of tumor
- Most are left sided, and therefore most are systemic (brain or extremities)
Constitutional symptoms
- Weight loss, fatigue, weakness
- May resemble infective endocarditis (fever, arthralgia, lethargy)
Less Common Symptoms
Less common symptoms may include:[6]
- Shortness of breath with activity
- Platypnea - difficulty breathing in the upright position with relief in the supine position
- Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea - breathing difficulty when asleep
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Palpitations - sensation of feeling your heart beat
- Chest pain or tightness
- Sudden Death (in which case the disease is an autopsy finding)
References
- ↑ Tazelaar HD, Locke TJ, McGregor CG (1992). "Pathology of surgically excised primary cardiac tumors". Mayo Clin. Proc. 67 (10): 957–65. PMID 1434856.
- ↑ Vaideeswar P, Butany JW (2008). "Benign cardiac tumors of the pluripotent mesenchyme". Semin Diagn Pathol. 25 (1): 20–8. PMID 18350919.
- ↑ Ramchandani M (2010). "Less invasive surgery for cardiac tumors". Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 6 (3): 27–31. PMID 20834208.
- ↑ Atrial myxoma. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrial_myxoma Accessed November 13, 2015
- ↑ Atrial Myxoma.Radiopedia.http://radiopaedia.org/articles/cardiac-myxoma Accessed on November 20, 2015
- ↑ Atrial myxoma - symptoms. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrial_myxoma Accessed November 13, 2015