History

No typical presentation of cardiac sarcoma exists because the common symptoms and signs are nonspecific. However, patients may complain of dyspnea, chest pain, and/or generalized fatigue.

Physical

Cardiac sarcoma has no pathognomonic physical features that may be discovered on examination. However, the following signs may accompany cardiac sarcoma:

Dyspnea
Hemoptysis
Diminished cardiac sounds
Friction rub
Rales
Refractory arrhythmias
Heart block
Heart failure

An audible plop due to tumor prolapse through the mitral valve may be appreciated.

Left-sided embolization may lead to cerebrovascular accident, peripheral organ infarction, seizures, and distant metastases.

Upper extremity and facial congestion (suggestive of superior vena cava syndrome) and dysphonia may occur.

Differential Diagnoses

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Stergioula A, Kokkali S, Pantelis E. Multimodality treatment of primary cardiac angiosarcoma: A systematic literature review. Cancer Treat Rev. 2023 Aug 16. 120:102617. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
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Media Gallery

Angiosarcoma of the heart, with pericardial encasement by hemorrhagic tumor. Image courtesy of Dr. K. Marchant.

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Author

John H Raaf, MD, PhD (Retired) Professor, Department of Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

John H Raaf, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American College of Surgeons, Central Surgical Association, Society of Surgical Oncology, American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, American Society of Clinical Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Anastasios K Konstantakos, MD Clinical Associate Surgeon, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Billings Clinic

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Heather N Raaf, MD (Retired) Chief Deputy Coroner, Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office

Heather N Raaf, MD is a member of the following medical societies: National Association of Medical Examiners, American Academy of Forensic Sciences

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Chief Editor

Eric H Yang, MD Associate Professor of Medicine, Director of Cardiac Catherization Laboratory and Interventional Cardiology, Mayo Clinic ArizonA

Eric H Yang, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Robert C Shepard, MD, FACP Associate Professor of Medicine in Hematology and Oncology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Vice President of Scientific Affairs, Therapeutic Expertise, Oncology, at PRA International

Robert C Shepard, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for Physician Leadership, European Society for Medical Oncology, Association of Clinical Research Professionals, American Federation for Clinical Research, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, American Medical Informatics Association, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, American Medical Association, American Society of Hematology, Massachusetts Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Cardiac Sarcoma Clinical Presentation

History

Physical

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