Metastatic Cardiac Lymphoma

pp. 179-181

Abstract

benign or malignant neoplasms. Lung and breast carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and, to a lesser degree, leukemia and lymphoma, often metastasize to the heart.

We describe the case of a 36-year old female patient with arrhythmia and echocardiographic evidence of a rapidly growing heart tumor. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids was initiated due to symptoms aggravation and the patient improved within 72 hours. A metastatic tumor was then suspected. A gastric biopsy confirmed the presence of a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Specific cytostatic treatment was started; the patient remains in remission with complete regression of cardiovascular symptoms.

Interestingly, our patient presented only cardiovascular symptoms despite the primary tumor was located in the digestive system.