Primary cardiac angiosarcoma with right atrial wall rupture A case report

Abstract

Rationale: Cardiac angiosarcoma is the most common malignant tumor of the heart and a rare disease with rapid disease progression and poor prognosis. Cardiac wall rupture is an extremely rare complication. Patient concerns: A 32-year-old woman presented with an acute onset of epigastric pain and chest discomfort at first time when she visited an emergency room. Diagnoses: A cardiac mass was identified on echocardiography and subsequently performed chest computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed the cardiac tumor at right atrium with right atrial wall rupture and hematogenous lung metastasis. Histopathologic diagnosis of metastatic angiosarcoma was done by open lung biopsy. Interventions: The patient was treated with palliative chemotherapy for the primary cardiac tumor and hematogenous lung metastasis. Outcomes: The follow-up imaging studies revealed treatment response of the primary cardiac tumor and hematogenous lung metastasis. Lessons: Clinical and radiologic evaluation of the cardiac angiosarcoma was well performed in our case with various diagnostic imaging modalities including echocardiography, chest computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography. This case report well demonstrates typical imaging findings of a rare cardiac tumor and emphasizes importance of early investigation for accurate diagnosis and proper management of the cardiac tumor.