Atrial myxoma

Most common of the rare benign primary cardiac tumours.

Usually found in the left atrium and typically attached to the septum.

Most common presentation is with symptoms of mitral valve obstruction, followed by embolic manifestations. Constitutional symptoms include fever, fatigue, and weight loss.

The only definite treatment is surgical.

Myxoma is the most common cardiac tumour and constitutes 50% of all benign cardiac tumours in adults, but only 15% of such tumours in children. About 75% of primary cardiac tumours are benign. Most myxomas are found in the left atrium (75%) and in decreasing frequencies in the right atrium, right ventricle, and left ventricle. [Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Large left atrial myxomaFrom the collection of Dr Syed Wamique Yusuf, Department of Cardiology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; used with permission [Citation ends].[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Macroscopic view of a left atrial myxomaR Al-Shahi Salman, D Northridge, ANJ Graham, R Grant. BMJ Case Reports 2009; doi:10.1136/bcr.09.2008.0875 [Citation ends].