Life (Feb 2025)

Cardiac Metastasis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management

  • Fabiana Lucà,
  • Iris Parrini,
  • Maria Laura Canale,
  • Carmelo Massimiliano Rao,
  • Mariacarmela Nucara,
  • Giuseppe Pelaggi,
  • Adriano Murrone,
  • Stefano Oliva,
  • Irma Bisceglia,
  • Andrea Sergi,
  • Giovanna Geraci,
  • Carmine Riccio,
  • Roberto Ceravolo,
  • Sandro Gelsomino,
  • Furio Colivicchi,
  • Massimo Grimaldi,
  • Fabrizio Oliva,
  • Michele Massimo Gulizia

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/life15020291
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 2
p. 291

Abstract

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Cardiac metastases (CMs) are more common than primary cardiac tumors, with autopsy studies reporting incidence rates between 2.3% and 18.3%. Their increasing detection is largely attributed to advances in cancer treatments, which have extended patient survival. CMs may present with diverse clinical manifestations depending on their size, location, and extent of infiltration, although they often remain asymptomatic and are identified only postmortem. Sometimes, they are incidentally discovered during tumor staging or follow-up evaluations. This review explores the incidence, pathophysiology, clinical features, and potential complications of CMs, focusing on their prevalence and characteristics. It highlights the importance of early detection and optimized management strategies to address this growing clinical concern. Further research is essential to elucidate the mechanisms driving CMs and develop effective therapeutic interventions.

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