The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2013 , Vol 55 , Num 1
Cardiac Rhabdomyomas in Childhood: Six Cases from a Single Institution
Divisions of 1Pediatric Oncology, and 2Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe University Faculty of
Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. E-mail: tezerkutluk@gmail.com
Primary cardiac tumors are rare during childhood. The most frequently
encountered tumors are rhabdomyomas. We reviewed the clinical characteristics,
treatment results, and outcomes of six pediatric patients with primary
cardiac rhabdomyomas. The mean age was 16.8 days. Only one patient
was symptomatic. The tumors mostly originated from the left ventricle.
The diagnosis was established by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plus
echocardiography with or without histopathology. Total tumor resection was
performed in two patients. After a median follow-up of 39 months, one
patient had a stable tumor, two patients had marked tumor regression and
one had complete tumor regression. Considering the fact that rhabdomyomas
often show spontaneous regression, close follow-up may be sufficient in
hemodynamically stable cases. Although rhabdomyomas do not cause any
symptoms at the time of diagnosis, they may lead to sudden death; thus,
further studies may be required for the decision of surgery and/or followup.
The localization and infiltrative characteristics of the tumor are critical
factors for decision-making in children with symptomatic rhabdomyoma even
if surgery is indicated in such cases.
Keywords :
cardiac, rhabdomyoma, children, heart, tumor.