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Improved outcome with multimodality therapy in primary cardiac angiosarcoma

Nature Clinical Practice Oncology volume 5, pages 112–115 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Background A 37-year-old man presented with a history of hemoptysis and associated fever, chills, night sweats, and weight loss. The patient had no other pertinent past medical history.

Investigations Physical examination, CT scan, transesophageal echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, MRI scan, and immunohistochemical staining of tumor biopsy.

Diagnosis Primary cardiac angiosarcoma of the right atrium with systemic metastases to the pericardium, superior vena cava, and lungs.

Management Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin and complete surgical resection of the tumor with reconstruction of the right atrium using bovine pericardium.

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Figure 1: Photomicrograph of the atrial biopsy.
Figure 2: MRI scan of the right atrial angiosarcoma.
Figure 3: Photomicrograph of the tumor excision.
Figure 4: MRI scan of the patient's latest follow-up.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. C Pigott is a second year medical student at Rush Medical College, M Welker is a Resident in Pathology, P Khosla is a Medical Oncologist, and RSD Higgins is the Chairman of Cardiovascular Surgery, all at the Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.,

    Courtney Pigott, Michael Welker, Pam Khosla & Robert SD Higgins

Authors
  1. Courtney Pigott
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  2. Michael Welker
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  3. Pam Khosla
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  4. Robert SD Higgins
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Correspondence to Robert SD Higgins.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Pigott, C., Welker, M., Khosla, P. et al. Improved outcome with multimodality therapy in primary cardiac angiosarcoma. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 5, 112–115 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncponc1023

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