SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Juvenile Onset Cardiac Angiosarcoma: A Case Study in a 17-Year-Old Female and Literature Review

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This case report describes a rare primary cardiac angiosarcoma in a 17-year-old female who presented with one month of dry cough and orthopnea. Initial evaluation showed a large pericardial effusion with preserved left ventricular function. CT and cardiac MRI revealed an irregular, hyperenhancing mass centered in the right atrium and pericardium, along with thickened pericardium and widespread metastases to the lungs, liver, skull, and later kidney. A liver biopsy confirmed angiosarcoma, likely originating from the heart.<br /><br />The report highlights that primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare, and most are benign. Among malignant cardiac tumors, sarcomas are the dominant type, with angiosarcoma being one of the most common. Cardiac angiosarcomas usually arise in the right atrium, often in middle-aged men, making this adolescent female presentation especially unusual.<br /><br />Clinically, cardiac angiosarcoma often presents with nonspecific symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, arrhythmias, or heart failure, which can delay diagnosis. Imaging findings such as right atrial masses, pericardial effusion, and metastatic disease are important clues. However, prognosis remains very poor because the tumor is aggressive and commonly metastatic at diagnosis.<br /><br />Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, but outcomes are generally limited. In this case, the patient underwent chemotherapy for six months without meaningful response and eventually stopped treatment. Follow-up imaging showed progression of metastatic disease.<br /><br />Overall, the article emphasizes the need for early recognition of cardiac angiosarcoma, the value of multimodality imaging in diagnosis, and the poor prognosis associated with advanced disease.

Asset Subtitle

Martin Nguyen

Meta Tag

Author List Martin Nguyen, Thao Pham

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Primary Cardiac Tumor

Concept Primary Cardiac Angiosarcoma

Concept Right Atrium

Concept Metastatic Disease

Concept Epidemiology

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Presenting Author Martin Nguyen

Track Adult

Keywords

primary cardiac angiosarcoma

right atrial mass

pericardial effusion

cardiac MRI

metastatic disease

adolescent female

liver biopsy

sarcoma

multimodality imaging

poor prognosis

Primary Cardiac Tumor

Primary Cardiac Angiosarcoma

Right Atrium

Metastatic Disease

Epidemiology