Cardiac CT Appearances
Cardiac Angiosarcoma CT Findings
- Highly aggressive tumors consisting of irregularly shaped vascular channels lined by anaplastic epithelial cells with sizable areas of necrosis and hemorrhage.
- They are of right atrial origin in approximately 75% of cases and typically fill this chamber and then infiltrate into the pericardium, tricuspid valve, right ventricle, and right coronary artery .
- Metastases develop in 47% to 89% of patients, most commonly to the lungs but also to the bone, colon, and brain.
Other Information About Cardiac Angiosarcoma
Etiology:
- Spontaneous tumor
- Higher prevalence in radiation therapy patients with treatment around the chest
Epidemiology:
- More prevalence in males
- 3rd-5th decade of life
Presentation:
- Swelling of lower extremities
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Syncope
- Palpitations
Prognosis:
- 5-year survival rate of 35%
- Most patients succumb within a few months
Related Pearls: Cardiac Tumors
Related Lectures:
CT of Cardiac Masses: Pearls and Pitfalls - Part 2
CT Detection and Evaluation of Cardiac Masses: What You Need to Know - Part 2