Myxoma

A myxoma is a noncancerous tumor in connective tissue that connects and supports other tissues all over the body. Because they are most frequently found in the heart, they are called cardiac myxomas. These are usually located in the atria — the two upper chambers of your heart — and are known as atrial myxomas. The majority of these occur in the left atrium and are referred to as left atrial myxomas. 

Myxomas tend to arise from the septum, the wall that separates the left and right sides of your heart. They can also occur in the skeletal muscles (intramuscular myxomas), eye (ocular or conjunctival myxoma) and skin (cutaneous myxoma). In general, myxoma is considered an extremely rare type of tumor.  

Types & Stages 

About 74 percent of all myxomas form in the left atrium, which is the top left chamber of the heart. About 18 percent form in the right atrium.  

• Most myxomas are known as atrial myxomas because they form in the upper heart chambers.  
   
• The rest (eight percent) form in the ventricles (lower chambers). 
   

Signs & Symptoms

The symptoms of a myxoma vary based on where it’s located within your heart and how it’s affecting your body. These include:

• Fever
• Lethargy (lack of energy)
• Night sweats
• Raynaud’s phenomenon, which affects small blood vessels in fingers and toes.
• Shortness of breath with physical activity
• Shortness of breath or fainting when you stand
• Weight loss

Diagnosis 

Tests and procedures to diagnose a myxomas include.  

• Imaging tests. These may include:  
   
  • Echocardiogram. A transthoracic echo can usually show a myxoma.  
     
  • Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). An ultrasound test that uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart to check for small tumors or to see where a tumor attaches to your heart.
     
  • Cardiac MRI. Images show the parts of your heart and any damage to specific areas.
     
  • Cardiac computed tomography scan (CT scan). This scan uses many X-rays from different angles to construct images of your heart using a scanner and computer.  
     
• Blood test. It may also reveal signs of a myxoma, including:
   
  • Low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
  • High white blood cell count, which indicates inflammation

These blood test findings don’t necessarily mean you have a myxoma. They could be due to other causes. But combined with imaging tests and exam findings, they can help your doctor  reach a diagnosis.

Treatment 

If you’ve been diagnosed with a myxoma, you’ll need surgery to remove the tumor right away. Myxomas put you at a high risk of embolisms with life-threatening complications. Surgeries include:

• Traditional surgery. Considered a form of “open heart” surgery, it traditionally involves sternotomy, or cutting through the breastbone and opening the ribs.
   
• Minimally invasive surgery. Your surgeon uses robotic arms to perform the operation. Small incisions are made between the ribs, and a camera and instruments are guided by the robotic arms, which are controlled by the surgeon.

Causes & Risk Factors 

Most myxomas don’t have a clear cause. But risks can include:  

• Age. Myxomas usually affect people aged 30 to 60.
   
• Gender. Myxomas are more common among females than males.
   
• Genetic disorder. People who have Carney’s complex, a genetic syndrome, are more likely to have multiple myxomas in your heart and other parts of your body. People with Carney’s complex are usually diagnosed with myxomas in their early 20s. And they’re more likely to be males.

Screening  

There is no routine screening for myxoma.