title: Malignant tumors of the heart.
abstract: Primary malignant cardiac tumors are rare, and mostly manifest as sarcomas in various types. As non-invasive diagnostic modalities, e.g. echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging, have become more sensitive, there is a marked increase in the number of patients diagnosed. Nevertheless, most patients die within one year of initial diagnosis, either because of the often asymptomatic presentation of cardiac tumors until advanced disease, or a low index of suspicion on the part of the physician. The presenting symptoms, treatment options and, indeed, prognosis are largely controlled by the tumor's anatomic location. Cardiac sarcomas may present with a variety of symptoms and are known to be great mimickers. A quick diagnosis facilitates the initiation of a proper treatment (surgical resection, adjuvant chemotherapy), which may in turn improve the prognosis. Metastases to the heart are far more common, unfortunately, clinical manifestations are mainly dominated by generalized tumor spread. The article summarizes epidemiology, symptoms, diagnostic modalities, and possible treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Cardiology, Silesian Center for Heart Disease, Medical University of Silesia, Curie-Sklodowska 9, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland. Electronic address: bartekh@mp.pl.
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hudzik
authors.affiliation: Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Silesian Center for Heart Disease, Curie-Sklodowska 9, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miszalski-Jamka
authors.affiliation: Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Silesian Center for Heart Disease, Curie-Sklodowska 9, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Glowacki
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Cardiology, Silesian Center for Heart Disease, Medical University of Silesia, Curie-Sklodowska 9, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lekston
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Cardiology, Silesian Center for Heart Disease, Medical University of Silesia, Curie-Sklodowska 9, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gierlotka
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Silesian Center for Heart Disease, Medical University of Silesia, Curie-Sklodowska 9, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zembala
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Cardiology, Silesian Center for Heart Disease, Medical University of Silesia, Curie-Sklodowska 9, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Lech
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Polonski
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Cardiology, Silesian Center for Heart Disease, Medical University of Silesia, Curie-Sklodowska 9, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gasior
mesh_terms: D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
keywords: cardiac tumors; malignant tumors; metastases