Elusive Cardiac Angiosarcoma in a Young Pregnant Female: Rare Presentation With Fatal Outcome

Abstract

Heart tumors are rare occurrences. They can present diagnostic challenges and severe complications especially in pregnant women. We report a rare case of angiosarcoma (AS) cordis of the right atrium in a young healthy pregnant female. Her diagnosis remained elusive for some time until development of advanced disease symptomatology. The diagnosis was unfortunately clinched when her tumor grew to be detected by imaging modalities. An emergency cesarean section was performed delivering a healthy baby. The patient was aggressively treated with chemotherapy to no avail. She passed away 2 months after her diagnosis was established. Only few cases of the occurrence of aggressive cardiac AS and human pregnancy are documented. The course of this disastrous combination is usually marked by severe complications, difficult therapeutic options and ultimately fast demise. Physicians need to be more aware of such diagnosis and diligently try to diagnose it as early as possible.




Cardiol Res. 2015;6(3):292-296
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/cr402w