Giant Cardiac Fibroma

Giant right ventricular fibroma co-existing atrial septal defect in a 15 year old girl

“…Such tumours are rare in children, and about one-third of those thus afflicted are asymptomatic. 2,3 When present, symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumour, which can create a variety of clinical findings, such as heart murmurs, chest pain, tachyarrythmias, and congestive cardiac failure. The arrhythmias are thought to be caused by the infiltration of the tumour cells into the myocardium, leading to its distortion and formation of new conducting accessory pathways.…”

“…Cardiac tumours can be either primary, or secondary to a metastasis from a distant tumour such as a hypernephroma, ovarian mature cystic teratoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, 1 melanoma, and many others. Such tumours are rare in children, and about one-third of those thus afflicted are asymptomatic 2 , 3 . When present, symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumour, which can create a variety of clinical findings, such as heart murmurs, chest pain, tachyarrythmias, and congestive cardiac failure.…”

Cardiac Tumors and Associated Arrhythmias in Pediatric Patients, With Observations on Surgical Therapy for Ventricular Tachycardia

“…Although most are pathologically benign, they can be associated with serious cardiovascular complications, including intracavitary obstruction, coronary artery compromise, thromboembolic events, and rhythm disturbances (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). Data regarding associated arrhythmias and their treatment have been largely limited to case reports or small series (6,8,9,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30). The most substantial study to date came from Beghetti et al (20), who identified 56 pediatric patients with various tumor types and described arrhythmias in 11 cases.…”

Surgical resection of a giant cardiac fibroma

“…Others may present as an incidental finding. 1–8 Although not an invasive tumor, it can cause cardiac deformity impairing the function of the ventricles or even the valvular structures of the heart. Some authors have reported cases whereby surgical construction of the valvular apparatus or a subsequent valvular procedure have been required.…”