Multimodality imaging of a cardiac angiosarcoma

Abstract

Introduction: While primary malignant tumors of the heart are rare, angiosarcomas are the most common cardiac malignant tumors. Case Presentation: We describe a 23-year-old woman who presented with a right atrial mass, which was discovered to be a cardiac angiosarcoma. We demonstrate the use of several noninvasive imaging modalities along with pathology confirmation for the definitive and comprehensive diagnosis of a cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare entity by itself. Conclusions: With the increasing availability of noninvasive imaging techniques, the diagnosis of angiosarcomas can be made at earlier stages. If angiosarcomas are left untreated, their prognosis is very poor. Therapeutic options include surgical excision, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and heart transplantation or a combination of these.