PRIMARY ANGIOSARCOMA OF THE HEART - REPORT OF A CASE AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

We report on a 44-year-old male with primary cardiac angiosarcoma who died 11 months after onset of nonspecific symptoms (thoracic pain and general fatigue) of intracerebral metastases. A right atrial tumor mass and a pericardial effusion could be demonstrated by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Cardiac angiography showed a right atrial hemangioma, fed by the right coronary artery. In a review of 108 cases of primary cardiac angiosarcoma we summarize clinical features, diagnostic means, therapeutic approaches and life expectancy of this rare disease.