Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Phone: Fax: Although thymic epithelial tumors TET commonly infiltrate mediastinal structures, cardiac involvement is uncommon and has not been systematically studied. The purpose of this study was to describe our single-institution experience of the clinical presentation, treatment and follow up of cardiac involvement in patients with TETs.
A single institution retrospective review of cardiac involvement among patients with TETs from to All five patients with confirmed cardiac disease had left heart involvement. Only one patient was symptomatic. Myocardial invasion was the most common mode of involvement followed by trans-venous spread. Surgical resection of the involved area was attempted in three patients: in one, surgery was aborted due to extensive myocardial involvement; in the other two patients, resection was incomplete.
Surgery averted a potentially catastrophic hemodynamic complication in one patient. However, cardiac tumor recurred in both patients who underwent incomplete resection. One patient underwent radiation therapy resulting in complete regression of an aortic root mass. This study represents the most comprehensive review of cardiac involvement in patients with TETs. In contrast to previous single-case reports, we found a preponderance of asymptomatic presentation, left heart involvement and myocardial invasion.
Dynamic cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging should be considered in cases when cardiac involvement is suspected. While immediate surgical resection is indicated for impending hemodynamic compromise, long-term palliation with surgery for myocardial involvement appears poor, especially when complete resection cannot be performed. Radiation therapy should be considered in selected patients. Keywords: thymic epithelial tumors, cardiac tumors, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging.
Thymic epithelial tumors TET are the most common anterior mediastinal tumors in adults. Although they commonly infiltrate mediastinal structures, cardiac extension is often limited to the pericardium and intracardiac extension is rare. To our knowledge, there are no systematic reports of clinical presentation, patterns of involvement, treatment and outcome of cardiac involvement in TETs. A retrospective review was performed of patients with TETs who were evaluated in the Thoracic Oncology Clinic, National Cancer Institute to study the clinical presentation, patterns of cardiac involvement, treatment and outcome.
