Cardiac tumor
Key points
- A left atrial myxoma is a benign tumor located in the left upper chamber of the heart (atrium) on the wall that separates the left chamber from the right (the atrial septum).
- This means that the initial site of the growth was within the heart, which is uncommon with heart tumors.
- Symptoms may occur at any time, but most often they accompany a change of body position.
- Listening to the heart with a stethoscope, the doctor may hear a "tumor plop" (a sound related to movement of the tumor), abnormal heart sounds, or murmurs.
Alternative names
Tumor - heart; Atrial myxoma - left; Myxoma - atrial; Myxoma - heart tumor
Definition
A left atrial myxoma is a benign tumor located in the left upper chamber of the heart (atrium) on the wall that separates the left chamber from the right (the atrial septum). See also atrial myxoma - right.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
A myxoma is a primary heart (cardiac) tumor. This means that the initial site of the growth was within the heart, which is uncommon with heart tumors. Most have spread from elsewhere in the body (metastasized).
Primary cardiac tumors are rare, but among them, myxomas are the most common. about 75% of myxomas occur in the left atrium, usually beginning in the wall that divides the upper chambers of the heart (atrial septum) and growing into the atrium. However, right atrial myxoma may also occur.
Myxomas are more common in women.
Approximately 10% of all myxomas are familial, which means that they were genetically inherited. Familial myxomas tend to produce symptoms at a younger age than non-familial tumors and are often multiple, that is, are present in more than one site within the heart and can include the ventricles (lower heart chambers).
Symptoms
Symptoms may occur at any time, but most often they accompany a change of body position. Symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath with activity
- Breathing difficulty when lying flat
- Breathing difficulty when asleep
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Sensation of feeling your heart beat (palpitations)
- Chest pain or tightness
The symptoms and signs of left atrial myxomas often mimic mitral stenosis.
General symptoms may also be present, such as:
- Cough
- Fever
- Involuntary weight loss
- General discomfort (malaise)
- Joint pain
- Blueness of skin, especially the fingers (Raynaud's phenomenon)
- Fingers that change color upon pressure or with cold or stress
- Curvature of nails accompanied with soft tissue enlargement (clubbing) of the fingers
- Swelling - any part of the body
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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