Leiomyosarcoma of the left atrium: case report and review of the literature
Fyfe, A.I.; Huckell, V.F.; Burr, L.H.; Stonier, P.M.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology 7(4): 193-196
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0828-282X PMID: 2070289 Document Number: 385778
Leiomyosarcomas are extremely rare primary cardiac tumours. A 46-year-old woman presenting with symptoms and signs of rapidly progressive left ventricular failure and apparent systemic lupus erythematosus was subsequently found to have a grade III/III left atrial leiomyosarcoma which was confirmed surgically. Pathology showed a cellular neoplasm arranged in fascicles with multinucleated giant cells, with areas of high grade sarcomatous change. The patient died seven months postoperatively with intractable heart failure. At autopsy, tumour infiltrated the pericardium, both atria and the right ventricle, with invasion of the diaphragm and posterior mediastinum. The current world literature is reviewed with respect to this rare and often misdiagnosed tumour.