Myxoma, the most common benign heart tumor. How it manifests itself and how it is treated

With a video message on Instagram, Flavio Briatore said he had undergone surgery for a benign heart tumor. The 73-year-old entrepreneur underwent the operation on March 19 at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan, and has already been discharged.

In particular, Briatore emphasized the importance of prevention: «Ten days ago I went to San Raffaele to have a routine check-up and at that moment they found a benign tumor in my heart». He immediately underwent a minimally invasive surgical operation, performed via endoscopic thoracotomy, with extracorporeal circulation.

What is a benign heart tumor

At the cardiac level, it is possible for primary tumors to be generated (i.e. born from a transformation of cardiac cells) of a benign or malignant nature, or metastatic tumors, i.e. which appear as a consequence of the presence of tumors in other locations.

They can arise in any type of tissue, but they are still rare tumors, with few cases at a clinical level: 0.5 per 1,000. The presence of these types of tumors can cause obstruction to the inflow or outflow tract of the valves, thromboembolisms, arrhythmias and pericardial disorders. 80% of primary cardiac tumors are benign and among these, the most common is myxoma.

Less frequent benign primary cardiac tumors

In addition to myxoma, there are other less frequent benign primary cardiac tumors, as highlighted on the website San Donato hospital group:

• papillary fibroelastoma, of fibrous origin, arises in correspondence with the heart valves and the worst complication is embolism;
• rhabdomyoma, mostly found in childhood, which usually regresses with age;
• fibroid;
• hemangioma, which is usually discovered by chance;
• paraganglioma, which is uniquely found in the heart;
• lipomas and pericardial cysts which, although not, simulate a tumor.

Symptoms of heart tumors

Most heart tumors are asymptomatic and are discovered by chance. Hence the importance of prevention. Furthermore, many disorders can often be confused with those of other cardiac pathologies. In particular, the following can be found:

• fever, drowsiness, tiredness, weight loss, embolisms and pericarditis;
• valvular symptoms or decompensation (for cavitary tumors);
• symptoms of infiltration or compression of the conduction path such as arrhythmias, conduction blocks (if the tumor passes close to the cardiac conduction band) e tachycardias;
• symptoms vary with posture, typical of pedunculated tumors.

How to identify it

The diagnosis of a cardiac tumor is made through color Doppler echocardiography and frequently through a CT scan or cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

How to intervene

The treatment of benign tumors usually involves surgical removal, which must include the complete elimination of the implant base, i.e. the point where the tumor attaches to the heart tissue. Otherwise there could be relapses. In this case, the treatment of a metastatic malignancy will depend on the type and origin of the tumor.