What is cardiac myxoma?

• Most often occurring as a solitary, sporadic, pedunculated mass in the left atrium; • ~10% occur in the context of Carney syndrome • May mimic malignant neoplasia because of frequent embolism, systemic or obstructive symptoms • May cause sudden death, usually due to mitral valve obstruction • Excellent prognosis but treatment requires complete surgical resection to avoid / prevent relapse and embolic or systemic symptoms The tumor is lobulated and polypoid with soft gelatinous appearance.