Atrial Involvement in Pleomorphic Carcinoma of the Lung.

A 46-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with anorexia, fever and weight loss. Thoracic computed tomography revealed a right upper lobe mass infiltrating the right atrium (Picture). Bronchoscopy and a biopsy confirmed pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung. The patient received chemo-radiotherapy and succumbed to the disease eight months after the initiation of the therapy. Cardiac involvement in lung cancer is not rare and occurs as direct invasion or via the great vessels (1, 2). Right atrial involvement via the superior and inferior vena cava are caused by the tumor itself and tumor thrombus. The prognosis of the majority of such patients remains poor, although a limited number are indicative for surgical treatment. However, further improvement of the prognosis through multidisciplinary treatment, as observed in this patient, is desired.

Picture.

The authors state that they have no Conflict of Interest (COI).