Cardiac angiosarcoma: A case report and review of current treatment

Abstract

Rationale:Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare malignant cardiac neoplasm with early metastasis and poor prognosis. As there are currently no guidelines or effective therapeutic strategies, management of this condition depends on previous experiences of the clinician treating and the consideration of reported cases.Patient concerns:A 65-year-old male presented to our department with a 4-day history of chest tightness, dyspnea, lower extremity weakness and occasional dizziness, and a transthoracic echo (TTE) revealed a right atrium occupying mass.Diagnoses:TTE showed right atrium occupation, and the post-operative histopathology showed the tumor to be a primary cardiac angiosarcoma.Interventions:Right atrium tumor resection and right atrium reconstruction with a bovine pericardium were performed.Outcomes:The patient recovered from surgery and discharged but died 10 months after surgery because of complete resection was impossible and adjuvant therapy was not performed.Lessons:Resection of primary cardiac angiosarcomas should be integrated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy based on tumor cell gene mutation and altered expression.