A Right heart angiosarcoma with rapidly progressing hemorrhagic pericardial effusion

Abstract

Primary tumors of the heart are rare. Among them angiosarcoma is the most common malignant tumor of the heart and is characterized by rapid growth, local invasion, and distant metastasis. Its clinical presentation is variable. We describe a 66-year-old man who suffered from cough and hemoptysis and then experienced rapidly progressing hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. After a set of examinations he was diagnosed as right heart angiosarcoma. His outcome was poor. © 2011 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.