METASTATIC SARCOMA INVASION THROUGH PULMONARY VEIN TO LEFT ATRIUM; AN UNUSUAL WAY OF METASTASIS

Authors

MODARRESS HOSPITAL, SHAHEED BEHSHTI UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, TEHRAN, IRAN

Abstract

The usual ways of malignancy spreading to the heart are through the systemic circulation, coronary arteries, lymphatic channels and direct extension from adjacent organs.
This article presents two cases of metastatic sarcoma in the lung that invaded through the pulmonary vein to the left atrium and presented with signs of cerebrovascular accident.
It seems that there is a tendency for primary cardiac sarcoma to invade the pulmonary veins.
Only sarcomas have this ability to invade and extend antegradely through the pulmonary veins to the left atrium; and even more surprisingly, only sarcoma can invade both sides of the heart in contrast to carcinoma, which nearly always invades the right heart.

Keywords

Iranian Heart Journal
Volume 5, Issue 4
December 2004
Pages 53-56

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