Right Atrial Myxoma with Pulmonary Tumor Embolus: Mid-Term Follow-up and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Cardiac myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumor and usually develop in the left atrium. Right atrial myxomas are relatively rare and can be accompanied by pulmonary tumor embolism. The standard treatment for a right atrial myxoma with pulmonary tumor emboli is surgical removal of the cardiac tumor and pulmonary embolus. Although many successful surgical results have been reported, the mid- or long-term outcomes are rarely mentioned. We report the 4-year follow-up of a case of a right atrial myxoma with a large tumor embolus in the left pulmonary artery. The patient underwent surgery for the removal of both the right atrial tumor and pulmonary embolus. Histopathological examination revealed both to be myxomas. Four years postoperatively, the patient was doing well. Although recurrence of the tumor was not observed, a few small pulmonary tumor emboli remained. Cardiac myxomas are benign neoplasms and proliferate slowly. However, careful follow-up observation for remote metastasis is crucial.