Secondary Cardiac Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Unique Presentation

TL;DR

A rare case of rhabdomyosarcoma spreading to the heart is reported, showing that surgery and treatment can improve outcomes.

Contribution

This paper presents a unique case of secondary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma with successful multimodal treatment.

Findings

The tumor originated in the fibular muscles and spread to the heart and bronchi.

Surgical resection and adjuvant therapy led to clinical improvement in the patient.

Multimodal management is crucial for treating aggressive cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma.

Abstract

Cardiac tumors are rare and complex, with malignant forms carrying a poor prognosis. These tumors are classified as either primary or secondary, with the latter, including metastases, being more prevalent. Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare but aggressive soft tissue sarcoma, can occasionally metastasize to the heart. Here, we report the case of a 75-year-old male with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma originating in the fibular muscles, extending to the left atrium, left ventricle, and bronchi. The patient presented with acute dyspnea, palpitations, and cardiogenic shock. Imaging revealed a large intracardiac mass, and urgent surgical resection was performed, followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. Despite the poor prognosis typically associated with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma, the patient showed clinical improvement post-surgery and continued treatment. This case highlights the aggressive nature of rhabdomyosarcoma with cardiac involvement and underscores the importance of multimodal management, including surgery and adjuvant therapy, to improve patient outcomes.

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