What Is A Primary Tumor?
According to the National Cancer Institute, a primary tumor is the first, or original, tumor discovered inside the human body. If these cancerous cells spread to another location, it is referred to as a metastasis and secondary tumor.
Tumors are commonly referred to as benign or malignant. Masses that are benign in nature may grow in size but will not spread to other areas of the human body. On the contrary, masses that are malignant contain cells that grow in an uncontrolled manner and can spread to other regions via the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Malignancy and cancer are used interchangeably in medicine.
What Is A Myxoma?
A myxoma is a primary benign cardiac tumor that is often attached to the interatrial septal wall via a stalk. Myxomas are the most common benign cardiac tumor found in adults and account for about 50% of all cardiac tumor cases. Approximately 70% of cases occur in the left atrium, 15% in the right atrium, 10% in a ventricle, and 5% in multiple chambers (4).
These noncancerous masses can be firm and round or soft and gelatinous. They can vary in size and originate from a pedicle (or stalk) that is rooted at the interatrial septum or atrioventricular annulus.
Myxomas can be of sporadic origin (90% of cases) or familial (10% of cases). Sporadic cases are the most common with its literal Greek definition meaning “here and there.” Familial cases are characterized by genetic disorders, such as Carney’s Complex, and have a higher rate of recurrence. Myxomas are more common in females and patients designated female at birth (7).
This article includes transthoracic, transesophageal, and surgical videos to teach the role of echocardiography in the assessment of cardiac myxomas.