Surgical resection for isolated cardiac metastases
T. S. Ravikumar, G. P. topulos, R. W. Anderson and T. B. Grage
We performed what we believe to be the second successful resection of
metastatic liposarcoma to the heart using cardiopulmonary bypass. Analysis
of ten previous resections of cardiac metastases from a variety of tumors
from distant primary sites revealed survivals from four months to two
years. When patients can tolerate a major operative procedure, resection of
solitary cardiac metastases can be successful if the primary tumor is well
controlled. Patients with sarcomas and with long disease-free intervals
should strongly be considered for aggressive surgical therapy. Computed
tomographic scans of the chest were useful in the diagnosis and accurate
delineation of the extent of tumor.
