A case of primary pericardial undifferentiated sarcoma

Primary pericardial sarcomas are extremely rare. The authors report a case of a 46-yr-old woman in whom a large mediastinal mass was discovered. The patient presented with cough, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Diagnostic investigations, such as echocardiography, computed tomography, and exploratory thoraco...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Korean medical science 2003-10, Vol.18 (5), p.742-745
Main Authors: Kim, Nam-Ho, Kweon, Kyoung Hee, Oh, Seok Kyu, Park, Moo Rim, Yun, Ki Jung, Juhng, Seon Kwan, Choi, Jong Bum, Jeong, Jin-Won
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biopsy
Cough
Disease Progression
Dyspnea
Echocardiography
Female
Humans
Mediastinal Neoplasms - diagnosis
Mediastinal Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging
Middle Aged
Prognosis
Sarcoma - diagnosis
Sarcoma - diagnostic imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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Summary:Primary pericardial sarcomas are extremely rare. The authors report a case of a 46-yr-old woman in whom a large mediastinal mass was discovered. The patient presented with cough, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Diagnostic investigations, such as echocardiography, computed tomography, and exploratory thoracotomy provided the evidence of a large mass in the mediastinum, attached by a broad base to the superior portion of the pericardium. A excisional biopsy was performed, and histologic examination of a biopsy specimen showed undifferentiated sarcoma. However, the complete removal of the mass was impossible due to adhesion to the adjacent great vessels. After the completion of the chemotherapy the patient was completely asymptomatic. However, follow-up transesophageal echocardiography showed a residual 3 x 4 cm-sized mass. The patient received the radiotherapy with a total dose of 55 Gy over 6 weeks. At present, there is no evidence of disease progression.
ISSN:1011-8934
1598-6357
DOI:10.3346/jkms.2003.18.5.742