Tumor in the upper left or right side of the heart is called an atrial myxoma

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By nclexnursing

A non-cancerous tumor in the upper left or right side of the heart is called an atrial myxoma. The wall between the two sides of the heart is where it most frequently grows. The atrial septum is the name of this wall.

Causes of Atrial Myxoma

A primary heart (cardiac) tumor is a myxoma. This indicates that the heart is where the tumor originated. The majority of cardiac malignancies begin elsewhere. Myxomas, which are primary heart tumors, are uncommon. Myxomas affect the left atrium of the heart in about 75% of cases. The wall between the two upper chambers of the heart is where they most frequently start. They can also happen in other intra-cardiac locations. Atrial fibrillation, valve stenosis, and atrial myxomas can occasionally coexist.

Women are more likely to get myxomas. Myxomas are handed down via families in about one in ten cases (inherited). Familial myxomas are the name for these tumors. They frequently manifest symptoms at a younger age and frequently affect multiple areas of the heart at once.

Although symptoms can happen at any moment, they frequently coincide with a change in body position. Myxoma symptoms can include:

  • Feeling of your heart beating (palpitations)
  • Breathing problems
  • Cough
  • Nail curvature coupled with enlargement of the fingers soft tissues
  • Fever
  • Fingers that become discolored under strain, in the cold, or under stress
  • Aching joints
  • Any body part swelling unintentional weight loss

Exam and Test of Atrial Myxoma

Heart MRI

Doppler Study

Chest Xray

CT scan

Echocardiogram

Complete blood count

Treatment of Atrial Myxoma

The tumor must be surgically removed, particularly if it is producing heart failure symptoms or an embolism.