Myxoma

What Is a Myxoma?

A Myxoma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth in the heart. Myxomas can be as small as a few millimetres or grow to a few centimetres.

Most Myxomas develop in the area of the heart called the atrium, which is the top left chamber of the heart.

Who Do Myxomas Affect?

They occur more commonly in females and people aged 40 and above. Around 10% of Myxomas are thought to be passed down through families (genetic).

What are Causes of Myxoma?

Most Myxomas are irregular, which means that there isn't always a clear reason. A combination of genetic and environmental risk factors is thought to play a role in the development of a Myxoma.

Types of Myxoma

Cutaneous Myxoma or Superficial AngioMyxoma

Cutaneous Myxoma is a rare tumour that usually appears as an asymptomatic lymph node on an adult's head, neck, or chest. Multiple cutaneous Myxomas of the subungual space, on the other hand, is extremely uncommon.

Intramuscular Myxoma

Intramuscular Myxoma (IM) is a noncancerous soft-tissue tumour that appears as a deep, bone mass. Excision surgery is almost always curative. Even after incomplete resection, recurrence is rare.

Juxta-articular Myxoma

Juxta-articular Myxoma (JAM) is a very rare myxoid tumor in pediatric age. JAM is frequently located at large joints, particularly in the knee, and most lesions present as palpable swelling sometimes associated with pain or tenderness.

Symptoms of Myxoma

Many people with Myxomas don’t have any symptoms. People with symptoms may feel:

difficulty breathing when lying flat
chest pain or tightness
shortness of breath with activity
coughing
dizziness
fainting
palpitations
fevers
tiredness
flu-like illness
stroke-like symptoms

Small particles from Myxoma can sometimes break off and cause symptoms. The symptoms of a Myxoma vary based on its size and location.

How is Myxoma Diagnosed

The most common way to diagnose a Myxoma is through testing. Your doctor will examine your heart, ask you about your symptoms and medical history, and order tests if you're experiencing heart-related symptoms.

The following tests are commonly used to diagnose a Myxoma:

Echocardiography. An echocardiogram, or “echo”, is an ultrasound of your heart. Sound waves from your heart are converted to detailed pictures of Chambers and Structures, such as valves.
Cardiac (MRI). A cardiac MRI (which stands for magnetic resonance imaging) is a scan that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take detailed pictures of your heart and tissues.
Cardiac CT. Cardiac CT is a heart-imaging examination that uses CT technology to visualize the heart anatomy, coronary circulation, and major vessels with or without intravenous (IV) contrast (dye) (which includes the aorta, pulmonary veins, and arteries).

Surgical Treatment for Myxoma

Myxomas can be removed through surgical intervention.

Cardiac Myxoma

With a cardiac Myxoma, open-heart surgery is performed to remove the tumour. The atrial septum, or the wall that separates the left and right upper chambers of the heart, may also be removed depending on the depth of tumour penetration.