ES Secondary cardiac lymphoma presenting with cardiac tamponade and cardiac mass: a case report
Executive Summary
Wei Juan Lim
Wei Juan Lim, Neerusha Kaisbain, Rafidah Abu Bakar, Hafidz Abd Hadi and Ahmad Khairuddin Mohamed Yusof. Published: Cardio-Oncology. 18 May 2024;10(3):1-5
Background
This report describes the unusual case of a 78-year-old man who came to the emergency room with shortness of breath, fatigue, and a pounding heart. At first, it seemed like a simple heart issue, but doctors quickly found a serious problem: fluid had built up around his heart, a condition called cardiac tamponade, which can be life-threatening.
Doctors performed an emergency procedure to drain the fluid and found abnormal cells in the fluid, which led them to suspect cancer. Further scans revealed a large mass near the heart and enlarged lymph nodes throughout his body. A biopsy confirmed he had Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)—a type of aggressive blood cancer that had spread to his heart and other organs.
He started some basic chemotherapy treatment, but due to his age and overall condition, he and his family chose not to pursue aggressive treatment. Instead, they opted for palliative care—care that focuses on comfort rather than curing the disease.
Conclusion
This case highlights a rare but dangerous way that cancer can affect the heart. Although uncommon, lymphoma (a type of cancer that starts in the lymphatic system) can spread to the heart and cause serious complications like cardiac tamponade. These symptoms can be easily missed or mistaken for other heart problems. Quick diagnosis and treatment are crucial, but in some cases—especially in elderly patients—comfort-focused care may be the most appropriate option.