Metastatic chondrosarcoma to the lung with extension into the left atrium via invasion of the pulmonary veins: presentation as embolic cerebral infarction

Cancer-associated stroke from progressive acinic cell carcinoma

Cancer-associated stroke is an evolving subgroup of embolic strokes of undetermined source. A man in his mid-20s with progressive follicular variant acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid was admitted because of new onset left-sided weakness. Neuroimaging confirmed a right middle cerebral artery infarction. After extensive diagnostics, stroke aetiology was deemed from cancer-induced hypercoagulability. Questions which arose regarding his management included (1) What was the best antithrombotic for secondary stroke prevention? (2) What was his risk for intracranial or tumorous bleeding once antithrombotics had been started? (3) How many days post-stroke could the antithrombotic be initiated? and (4) When could he be cleared for palliative chemotherapy and whole brain irradiation? The approach to address the abovementioned questions in the management of a rare cancer complicated by stroke is presented. Although treatments are guided by known pathomechanisms, additional studies are needed to further support current treatment strategies for this subgroup of patients.

Metastatic lung tumor from hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus invasion in the pulmonary vein: a case report

BACKGROUND

Metastatic lung tumor with a tumor thrombus in the peripheral pulmonary vein is very rare. We present a case of a metastatic lung tumor from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus invasion in the pulmonary vein that was diagnosed preoperatively and underwent complete resection by segmentectomy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 77-year-old man underwent laparoscopic lateral segment hepatectomy for HCC eight years ago. Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II remained elevated from two years ago. Contrast-enhanced chest computed-tomography (CT) showed a 27 mm nodule in the right apical segment (S1). He was pathologically diagnosed with a metastatic lung tumor from HCC via transbronchoscopic biopsy. We planned to perform right S1 segmentectomy. Before surgery, contrast-enhanced CT in the pulmonary vessels phase for three-dimensional reconstruction showed that the tumor extended into the adjusting peripheral pulmonary vein, and we diagnosed tumor thrombus invasion in V1a. The surgery was conducted under 3-port video-assisted thoracic surgery. First, V1 was ligated and cut. A1 and B1 were cut. The intersegmental plane was cut with mechanical staplers. Pathological examination revealed moderately-differentiated metastatic HCC with tumor thrombus invasions in many pulmonary veins, including V1a. No additional postoperative treatments were performed.

CONCLUSIONS

As malignant tumors tend to develop a tumor thrombus in the primary tumor, it might be necessary to perform contrast-enhanced CT in the pulmonary vessel phase to check for a tumor thrombus before the operation for metastatic lung tumors.

Acute arterial occlusive disease due to tumor thrombus from lung metastasis of breast cancer with cartilaginous and osseous metaplasia: a case report

BACKGROUND

Tumor embolization due to venous infiltration of breast cancer pulmonary metastases is very rare.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 72-year-old female was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was discontinued because of progressive disease, and a right mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed. The pathological analysis of surgical specimens revealed carcinoma with cartilaginous and/or osseous metaplasia. At 22 months after surgery, lung metastasis was observed, and 6 months after initiating treatment for lung metastases, she complained of sudden numbness in the left-lower limb with trouble walking. Ultrasonography showed an embolism in the left popliteal artery, and contrast computed tomography showed enlarged lung metastases and infiltration of the left-upper lobe disease into the left superior pulmonary vein and left atrium. Acute arterial occlusive disease in the left-lower limb caused by the tumor embolism was suspected, so an endovascular thrombectomy was performed. Tumor emboli were removed by embolectomy catheter.

CONCLUSION

This report of lung metastasis from breast cancer with cartilaginous and/or osseous metaplasia and acute lower-limb artery occlusion due to a tumor thrombus adds useful information to the literature on these extremely rare cases.

An extensive surgical resection in stage T4 small cell lung cancer with cardiac invasion: A case report and literature review

Introduction and importance

We report a rare case of a patient with a mass involving both the hilum and the heart, but its specific nature could not be determined. SCLC was confirmed by postoperative pathology. It revealed that radical surgical resection for T4 SCLC should be considered an important part of multimodality treatment.

Case presentation

A 49-year-old gentleman complained of mild chest tightness for a week. Two large mass lesions were detected on CECT in the left atrium and left hilum. After an MDT discussion, an extended resection was recommended. Postoperative pathology denoted a complete excision with no residuals and negative lymph nodes.

Clinical discussion

Due to the rarity of lung metastases to the heart, it is vital to determine the homology between the hilar mass and the cardiac mass. Based on this, simultaneous surgical treatment is done and it is very beneficial for patients by eliminating those hazards, such as acute mechanical cardiac obstruction, and cardiac embolism. Our literature review demonstrates that the SCLC tumour progresses rapidly after cardiac metastasis, limiting the chance of a complete resection. Furthermore, complete resection of T4 tumours in NSCLC has been attempted many times, so it should also be tried on SCLC.

Conclusion

It is common for SCLC tumours to progress rapidly once they havemetastasized to the heart. An aggressive operation such as radical resection can reduce tumor burdens, minimize the risk of sudden acute death and improve patient follow-up treatment, all of which may prolong the survival of patients.

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In most cases, cardiac metastasis occurs in small-cell lung cancer with distant metastasis elsewhere. There are few cases in which there is no distant metastasis except lung and heart just like our case.

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Cases of extended resection of T4 stage NSCLC have been reported, but cases of extended resection of T4 stage SCLC are rare.

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We believe that the occurrence of cardiac metastasis in SCLC may indicate that the tumour enters the stage of accelerated growth. An extensive resection reduces the risks of embolism and cardiac pumping disorders brought by cardiac tumours to patients and is conducive to better acceptance of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in later stages.

Echocardiographic detection of left atrium and left ventricle tumoral invasion via the left upper pulmonary vein, leading to the diagnosis of lung cancer

Left atrial (LA) invasion by lung cancer via hematogenous pathways is relatively uncommon. Herein we report the case of a 68-year-old male without any medical history, in whom lung cancer was diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiographic detection of the LA and left ventricle tumoral invasion via the left upper pulmonary vein. The primary source of tumor was found out by computed tomography.

Metastasectomy of left atrial mesenchymal chondrosarcoma

Metastasis of chondrosarcoma of skeletal origin to the heart is uncommonly reported in the literature, with the majority of cases involving right atrial metastases. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment, and the literature has shown improved median survival with this form of therapy, possibly by reducing thromboembolic risk in this patient population. We report the case of a patient with metastatic mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the left atrium who underwent resection, following a lack of response to anticoagulation therapy. This is the first report of surgical resection of left atrial metastatic disease prior to the onset of thromboembolic sequelae.

A case of cerebral infarction due to pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung

Background:

With the increase in endovascular treatment, reports of embolism other than thrombus are scattered, but intracranial tumorigenic embolism is rare and difficult to diagnose. Here, we describe a case of a tumorigenic embolism in a patient with lung cancer whose invasion into the vascular system was not detected on preoperative whole-body imaging.

Case Description:

A 66-year-old man who was hospitalized to undergo radiotherapy for pulmonary carcinoma suddenly developed left hemiplegia. He exhibited atrial fibrillation, and emergent radiographic examination revealed a right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Urgent mechanical embolectomy was performed, with successful revascularization. The excised embolus had a unique morphology and was pathologically diagnosed as a cerebral embolism caused by pleomorphic pulmonary carcinoma.

Conclusion:

Tumor-derived cerebral embolism is extremely rare, but it is necessary to consider it as a potential source of embolism during differential diagnosis in patients with malignant tumors.

Complete resection of primary pulmonary malignancy extending into the left atrium via the left pulmonary vein using cardiopulmonary bypass and single incision: A case series

If the best treatment for a patient with a primary pulmonary tumor extending into the left atrium via the left pulmonary vein is surgical resection, it is necessary to determine the appropriate approach, that is, whether cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or complete resection, would be more suitable. Lung resections under CPB are rarely performed because of the unpredictable prognosis. We report two successful cases of safe and rapid complete resection of primary pulmonary malignancy extending into the left atrium with the support of CPB via median sternotomy. Our experiences support the application of CPB in extended left pulmonary resections to achieve complete resection.

Silent Neoplastic Cardiac Invasion in Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Patient: Female, 66

Final Diagnosis: Small cell lung cancer

Symptoms: Impaired memory

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Chest X-ray • computed tomography • magnetic resonance imaging • electrocardiogram

Specialty: Oncology

Left Atrial Mass Invasion from Pulmonary Neoplasm Extension via the Right Upper Pulmonary Vein Presenting as Ipsilateral Stroke

Left atrial invasion by lung cancer via haematogenous pathways is a relatively uncommon but potentially life-threatening event. While several cardiac complications of cardiac involvement have been previously described, the evolution towards cerebral stroke has been rarely reported. In this case report, we describe an atypical case of haematogenous metastatic invasion of the left atrium from pulmonary neoplasm extension presenting as an ipsilateral stroke whose ASCO classification changed during the clinical management.

Recurrent Peripheral Arterial Embolism from Metastatic Lung Choriocarcinoma

A patient with choriocarcinoma, most likely of ovarian origin, with lung metastasis is presented. The disease manifested itself by recurrent embolism into the peripheral arteries. Literature on this topic is reviewed.

Stereotactic radiotherapy for the treatment of lung cancer with a giant left atrial tumor thrombus: A case report and literature review

Lung cancer presenting with a giant atrial tumor thrombus is particularly rare. Surgical resection, aided by a cardiopulmonary bypass, is the standard treatment of choice if there is no distant metastasis. However, this form of surgery carries a high risk, with the subsequent patient prognosis being extremely poor. The current study describes the case of a 52-year-old man presenting with left lung squamous cell carcinoma that had extended into the left atrium. The patient was treated with stereotactic radiotherapy, and regarding the atrial disease, a complete response was achieved within 12 months. The present case demonstrates that stereotactic radiotherapy may be a beneficial palliative treatment for patients with stage IV lung cancer invading the left atrium.

Right atrial tumor embolism from thoracic chondrosarcoma: A case report

Chondrosarcoma accounts for ~15% of all primary malignant bone tumors. Chondrosarcoma of the spine is rare, while intra-atrial tumor embolisms as a result of chondrosarcoma are extremely rare. In the present study, the case of a 70-year-old male with thoracic chondrosarcoma, who presented with a fever and exertional dyspnea, is reported. Following anti-infection treatment with cefoperazone sodium and sulbactam sodium, the patient developed shock and a mass was identified in the right atrium by echocardiogram. The patient subsequently developed acute circular breathing failure and succumbed to the disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of thoracic chondrosarcoma with a tumor embolism in the right atrium to be reported in the literature.

Learning from the pulmonary veins

The purpose of this article is to review the basic embryology and anatomy of the pulmonary veins and the various imaging techniques used to evaluate the pulmonary veins, as well as the radiologic findings in diseases affecting these structures. Specific cases highlight the clinical importance of the imaging features, particularly the findings obtained with multidetector computed tomography (CT). Pulmonary vein disease can be broadly classified into congenital or acquired conditions. Congenital disease, which often goes unnoticed until patients are adults, mainly includes (a) anomalies in the number or diameter of the vessels and (b) abnormal drainage or connection with the pulmonary arterial tree. Acquired disease can be grouped into (a) stenosis and obstruction, (b) hypertension, (c) thrombosis, (d) calcifications, and (e) collateral circulation. Pulmonary vein stenosis or obstruction, which often has important clinical repercussions, is frequently a result of radiofrequency ablation complications, neoplastic infiltration, or fibrosing mediastinitis. The most common cause of pulmonary venous hypertension is chronic left ventricular failure. This condition is difficult to differentiate from veno-occlusive pulmonary disease, which requires a completely different treatment. Pulmonary vein thrombosis is a rare, potentially severe condition that can have a local or distant cause. Calcifications have been described in rheumatic mitral valve disease and chronic renal failure. Finally, the pulmonary veins can act as conduits for collateral circulation in cases of obstruction of the superior vena cava. Multidetector CT is an excellent modality for imaging evaluation of the pulmonary veins, even when the examination is not specifically tailored for their assessment.

Tumors of the pulmonary artery and veins

The pulmonary vasculature may be involved by different primary and secondary tumors. Poorly differentiated and undifferentiated sarcomas are the most common primary tumors of the pulmonary arteries. They tend to affect the large caliber pulmonary vessels and present with predominantly intraluminal growth. Pulmonary and mediastinal metastasis are common, and prognosis is poor. Clinical and imaging manifestations may mimic those of pulmonary embolism. Dyspnea, chest pain, cough, and hemoptysis are the most common presenting symptoms. Primary sarcomas arising from the central pulmonary veins are less common than their arterial counterpart. Secondary involvement of the pulmonary arteries and veins by primary and metastatic pulmonary malignancies is more common. Tumoral embolism may also affect the pulmonary arteries. They may develop from different intrathoracic and extrathoracic malignancies and may be indistinguishable from venous thromboembolism. It may manifest as cor pulmonale with right cardiac strain and dilated pulmonary arteries. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography may help in the differentiation between these 2 conditions.

Radiotherapy is effective for a primary lung cancer invading the left atrium

Atrial involvement is an uncommon feature of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, occurring in up to 10% of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Additionally, cardiac metastases from other sources are documented in up to 7% of cancer patients at autopsy. Because atrial invasion can lead to systemic embolisation and/or outflow obstruction, it is treated regardless of the overall prognosis. While the gold standard treatment has historically been surgical resection, advances in radiotherapy allow for the safe treatment of cardiac disease. Here we present the case of a woman with pulmonary adenocarcinoma of the left lower lobe that progressed to invade the pulmonary vein and left atrium while maintained on standard chemotherapy. She was treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy and had a complete response in terms of her atrial disease within 3 months. She suffered no acute toxicity or complications as a result of the radiation therapy.

Left atrial extension of metastatic lung tumor via pulmonary vein: report on the first case of Ewing sarcoma

Extension of metastatic lung tumors into the left atrium via pulmonary veins is rare. Here, we report the first case of Ewing sarcoma exhibiting such extension. A 31-year-old man with pulmonary metastasis from Ewing sarcoma presented with a mass in the left lung, extending to the left atrium through the left inferior pulmonary vein. As the patient was considered to be at risk of tumor embolism, the mass was excised surgically.

A case of cerebral embolism with metastatic chondrosarcoma in the left atrium

Cardiac tumor is a rare, but clinically important source of cerebral embolism. We report a case of metastatic chondrosarcoma in the left atrium with multiple cerebral emboli. A computed tomography scan of the chest revealed a large mass in the left atrium and pulmonary vein. The patient underwent heart surgery to remove the metastatic chondrosarcoma in the left atrium, to prevent the formation of further systemic emboli and possible sudden death. The cardiac tumor resection was successful, and the patient was discharged from the hospital without any handicap. This is a rare case of metastatic cardiac tumor that was a source of emboli into the brain and was eradicated.

Rational and successful use of carboplatin and albumin-bound paclitaxel in a patient with recurrent metaplastic carcinoma who presented with multi-organ tumor emboli

We demonstrate successful treatment of recurrent chondroid-metaplastic breast cancer. Breast cancer recurrence was diagnosed when a patient with a history of metaplastic breast cancer presented with recurrent acute strokes. A diagnosis of tumor embolism was suspected when a chest radiograph performed as part of a work-up for stroke demonstrated several lung nodules, with 1 lung nodule invading the pulmonary vein and extending into the left atrium-the source of tumor emboli. This was followed by timely surgery to remove the embolizing metastatic lesion and local radiation to prevent growth and recurrent embolization. Subsequently, the patient received carboplatin and albumin-bound paclitaxel and experienced complete remission.

Cardiac intracavitary metastasis of a malignant solitary fibrous tumor: case report and review of the literature on sarcomas with left intracavitary extension

BACKGROUND

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the pleura with malignant progression occurs uncommonly. Cardiac intracavitary extension of tumors is rarely seen, with left side location being exceptional.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The authors report the first case of a malignant SFT metastatic to the heart occurring in a 74-year-old woman. The tumor first presented as a slow-growing pleural SFT that in 6 years reached a size of 16 cm. Two months after a complete surgical resection, the tumor was found to spread to the left atrium by intracavitary extension from the left upper pulmonary vein, simulating a cardiac myxoma. The primary tumor showed established features of malignancy including size greater than 10 cm; gross findings of necrosis; high cellularity, cytological atypia, and eight mitoses per 10 high-power fields. Immunohistochemical study revealed positivity of the tumor cells for CD34, bcl-2, and CD99. Aside from the present report, 52 previous cases of sarcoma with intracavitary extension to the left side of the heart have been described. Bone sarcoma is the type most frequently found. Peripheral arterial embolism can be a complication of advanced mesenchymal malignancy in 21% (11/53) of reported cases.

CONCLUSION

Accurate histopathologic recognition of this rare type of metastatic disease is important because of the adverse prognosis as compared to cardiac myxoma.

Intracardiac Extension of Lung Cancer Demonstrated on PET Scanning

Intracardiac tumors are unusual and can originate within the heart or spread from other sites. This is a report of a patient who presented with a TIA, and during the subsequent stroke workup, a right hilar nonsmall cell lung carcinoma was discovered. The tumor had extended into the left atrium through a pulmonary vein. The hilar tumor as well as intracardiac extension were demonstrated by PET scanning using FDG.

Chondrosarcoma, lupus anticoagulant and cerebral ischaemia

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant disease of cartilage. Systemic embolisation usually arises from cancerous invasion of pulmonary vessels or the left atrium but cerebral embolisation or ischaemia is rarely recognised. We report a man with left leg amputation for tibial myxoid chondrosarcoma who suffered multiple cerebral embolisms one year later. Cerebral angiography and aortogram did not reveal luminal stenosis and a cardiac survey was normal. Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time were detected. A molecular mimicry between prothrombin and paracrine hormones may have accounted for his LAC. A procoagulant autoantibody reacting against metastatic cancer cells may contribute to cancerous thrombosis, such as in chondrosarcoma.

Massive cardiac chondroma presenting with heart failure and superior vena cava obstruction in a teenage boy

Histologically benign soft-tissue chondromas have been reported at many anatomical sites but are an uncommon cause of soft tissue mass lesions in childhood, accounting for less than 1% of cases. The most frequent sites for extraosseous soft-tissue chondromas are the hands and feet. For the extremely rare visceral chondromas, the site can be lung, where they may represent a component of Carney's syndrome of extra-adrenal paraganglioma, pulmonary chondroma, and epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract. Primary cardiac chondromas are exceptionally rare in patients of any age although cardiac chondrosarcoma, both primary and metastatic, is well reported. We present a case of a teenage boy with a fatal cardiac chondroma

Tumors of the pulmonary vasculature

Most primary tumors of the pulmonary vasculature are sarcomas arising in the main pulmonary arteries and veins with high mortality rates. Pulmonary artery sarcoma is far more prevalent than its venous counterpart, though both are rare. Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis is a rare low-grade tumor or tumor-like lesion of the pulmonary capillaries that causes severe pulmonary hypertension. Secondary involvement of pulmonary vasculature by malignant tumors may rarely mimic a primary vascular tumor or clinically present as unexplained pulmonary hypertension associated with thrombotic microangiopathy.

Accidents vasculaires cérébraux et néoplasie : évoquer la thrombose veineuse pulmonaire

Stroke in patients with malignant tumor are associated with various aetiologies. We report a case of lung adnocarcinoma with pulmonary vein thrombosis appending into the left atrial revealed by multiple cerebral infarcts.

Intraoperative TEE for the management of pulmonary tumour embolism during chondroblastic osteosarcoma resection

PURPOSE

Chondroblastic osteosarcoma requiring surgical intervention is associated with a high risk of pulmonary tumour embolism. Rapid intraoperative diagnosis with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) allowed changing the management plan and treatment of a life-threatening pathology.

CLINICAL FEATURES

A 32-yr-old female with right pelvic chondrosarcoma presented for right hemipelvectomy. Two hours into the operation during ligation of the iliac blood vessels the patient's hemodynamic condition deteriorated and was followed by cardiac arrest. TEE was performed immediately and revealed massive tumour embolism in the right and left pulmonary arteries. Large tumour emboli were removed from the right and left pulmonary arteries after median sternotomy under cardiopulmonary bypass and moderate hypothermia. The hemipelvectomy was completed on the next day after fluid and inotropic agent resuscitation. An inferior vena cava filter was placed below the renal veins. The patient was discharged from hospital ten days after the surgery.

CONCLUSION

This case report illustrates the important role TEE can play in the early diagnosis and subsequent surgical treatment of noncardiac emergencies. Intraoperative TEE can have a significant impact on the decision making process in life threatening emergencies.