A case of undifferentiated pleomorphic cardiac sarcoma

Abstract

Primary cardiac sarcoma is known to have a poor prognosis due to late presentation, multiple metastases, and complications, challenging treatment options. We present a case of a 78-year-old female patient who was admitted to our hospital with progressive dyspnea and chest pain. Echocardiography revealed multiple masses of different shape and size in the left atrium, the left and right ventricles. Cardiac magnetic resonance confirmed multiple cardiac masses with signs of invasion in the myocardium and heterogeneous late gadolinium enhancement in all these masses. A biopsy of the abdominal mass revealed an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. We planned chemotherapy and supportive measures. Before the initiation of the chemotherapy, the clinical situation worsened dramatically. Despite the pericardiocentesis, the patient died due to cardiac tamponade. An autopsy revealed a massive tumor in the interatrial septum and multiple metastases in both ventricles, lungs, and abdomen.

Keywords

• cardiac sarcoma
• left atrium
• left ventricle
• right ventricle
• metastases
• echocardiography
• cardiac magnetic resonance
• biopsy
• autopsy
• tamponade