# Complex decision making in a patient with lung cancer with incidentally found fast-growing atrial mass

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the complex decisions made in treating a lung cancer patient who also had a fast-growing heart tumor.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the challenges in diagnosing and treating a cardiac mass in a frail cancer patient.

## Key findings

- Atrial myxomas are rare and often found in the left atrium.
- Differentiating between mass types is challenging in cancer patients.
- Timely intervention is crucial for fast-growing cardiac masses.

## Abstract

Atrial myxomas are typically found in the left atrium and are the most common among overall rare cardiac tumors. Herein, we describe the clinical course of a 72-year-old female with non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma found to have an atrial mass during an imaging for evaluation for lung cancer progression. Differentiating between distinct types of masses can pose a challenge to the treatment team especially in the setting of exiting malignancy. This case demonstrates the complex decision making involved in the diagnosis, and timing of intervention to remove atrial mass in patients with frailty and a fast-growing cardiac mass.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40959-024-00219-z.