Secondary tumors of the heart or large vessels from direct spread or metastases greatly outnumber primary tumors 20-40 times.
More than 75% of primary cardiac neoplasms are benign and include myxomas and rhabdomyomas.
Most common primary malignancy of the heart.
Rhabdomyosarcomas are more frequent in young patients.
Rhabdomyosarcomas of the heart are mostly of the embryonal subtype.
Typically involve cardiac valves.
In adults undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas including malignant fibrous histiocytoma are the most common types.
Malignant fibrous histiocytomas predominantly located in the left atrium.
One third of cardiac sarcomas are angiosarcomas, primarily in middle aged individuals.
Angiosarcomas usually located in the right atrium and lead the right sided hear failure or cardiac tamponade.