An atrial myxoma is a noncancerous tumor in the upper left or right side of the heart. It grows on the wall (atrial septum) that separates the two sides of the heart.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA myxoma is a primary heart (cardiac) tumor. This means that the tumor started within the heart. Most heart tumors start somewhere else.
Primary cardiac tumors are rare. Myxomas are the most common type of these rare tumors. About 75% of myxomas occur in the left atrium of the heart, usually beginning in the wall that divides the two upper chambers of the heart. The rest are in the right atrium. Right atrial myxomas are sometimes associated with tricuspid stenosis and atrial fibrillation.
Myxomas are more common in women. About 10% of myxomas are passed down through families (inherited). Such tumors are called familial myxomas. They tend to occur in more than one part of the heart at a time, and often cause symptoms at a younger age than other myxomas.
SymptomsSymptoms may occur at any time, but most often they accompany a change of body position. Symptoms may include:
The symptoms and signs of left atrial myxomas often mimic mitral stenosis.
General symptoms may also be present, such as:
These general symptoms may also mimic those of infective endocarditis.
Signs and testsThe health care provider will listen to the heart with stethoscope. A "tumor plop" (a sound related to movement of the tumor), abnormal heart sounds, or murmur may be heard. These sounds may change when the patient changes position.
Right atrial myxomas rarely produce symptoms until they have grown to be at least 13 cm (about 5 inches) wide.
Imaging tests may include:
Blood tests:
A complete blood count may show anemia and increased white blood cells. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is increased.
TreatmentThe tumor must be surgically removed. Some patients will also need their mitral valve replaced. This can be done during the same surgery.
Myxomas may come back if surgery did not remove all of the tumor cells.
Expectations (prognosis)Although a myxoma is not cancer, complications are common. Untreated, a myxoma can lead to an embolism (tumor cells breaking off and traveling with the bloodstream), which can block blood flow or cause the myxoma to grow in another part of the body. Myxoma fragments can move to the brain, eye, or limbs.
If the tumor grows inside the heart, it can block blood flow through the mitral valve and cause symptoms of mitral stenosis. This may require emergency surgery to prevent sudden death.
ComplicationsTell your health care provider if there is any family history of myxomas or if you have symptoms of atrial myxoma.
An atrial myxoma is a noncancerous tumor in the upper left or right side of the heart. It grows on the wall (atrial septum) that separates the two sides of the heart.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA myxoma is a primary heart (cardiac) tumor. This means that the tumor started within the heart. Most heart tumors start somewhere else.
Primary cardiac tumors are rare. Myxomas are the most common type of these rare tumors. About 75% of myxomas occur in the left atrium of the heart, usually beginning in the wall that divides the two upper chambers of the heart. The rest are in the right atrium. Right atrial myxomas are sometimes associated with tricuspid stenosis and atrial fibrillation.
Myxomas are more common in women. About 10% of myxomas are passed down through families (inherited). Such tumors are called familial myxomas. They tend to occur in more than one part of the heart at a time, and often cause symptoms at a younger age than other myxomas.
SymptomsSymptoms may occur at any time, but most often they accompany a change of body position. Symptoms may include:
The symptoms and signs of left atrial myxomas often mimic mitral stenosis.
General symptoms may also be present, such as:
These general symptoms may also mimic those of infective endocarditis.
Signs and testsThe health care provider will listen to the heart with stethoscope. A "tumor plop" (a sound related to movement of the tumor), abnormal heart sounds, or murmur may be heard. These sounds may change when the patient changes position.
Right atrial myxomas rarely produce symptoms until they have grown to be at least 13 cm (about 5 inches) wide.
Imaging tests may include:
Blood tests:
A complete blood count may show anemia and increased white blood cells. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is increased.
TreatmentThe tumor must be surgically removed. Some patients will also need their mitral valve replaced. This can be done during the same surgery.
Myxomas may come back if surgery did not remove all of the tumor cells.
Expectations (prognosis)Although a myxoma is not cancer, complications are common. Untreated, a myxoma can lead to an embolism (tumor cells breaking off and traveling with the bloodstream), which can block blood flow or cause the myxoma to grow in another part of the body. Myxoma fragments can move to the brain, eye, or limbs.
If the tumor grows inside the heart, it can block blood flow through the mitral valve and cause symptoms of mitral stenosis. This may require emergency surgery to prevent sudden death.
ComplicationsTell your health care provider if there is any family history of myxomas or if you have symptoms of atrial myxoma.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/01/2010
Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Director, Northwestern Clinic Echocardiography Lab, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
no
A myxoma is a rare, usually noncancerous, primary tumor (a new growth of tissue) of the heart. It is the most common of all benign heart tumors.
There is no known causative agent for myxoma.
About 6 weeks.
they will die
The main symptoms, if any, produced by myxoma are generic and not specific. These include fever, weight loss, anemia, elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, decreased platelet count and Raynaud's phenomenon.
Surgery is used to remove the tumor. Myxomas can regrow if they are not completely removed. The survival rate for this operation is excellent.
Jennefer Masters has written: 'Myxoma virus induced activation of CC-chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5)'
well hunney it is oviouse that you will die so stop answering stupied and ovious questions and get to work okey by the way your answer is _yes_:)
Myxoma is an intracardiac tumor; it is found inside the heart. Seventy five percent of all myxomas are found in the left atrium, and almost all other myxomas are found in the right atrium.
The rabbits with the traits to overcome the virus will live and be resistant to the virus. The rabbits who lack the traits needed to overcome the virus will die.
It is unlikely that wild rabbits would become endangered. They are prolific breeders and, despite the introduction of the disease, Myxomatosis, caused by the myxoma virus, I see little rabbit reduction in the farm fields surrounding my Lancashire village home.,