Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2021 | Computed Tomography | Case report
Malignant pericardial effusion as a primary manifestation of metastatic colon cancer: a case report
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2021
Login to get accessAbstract
Background
Pericardial neoplastic involvement is rarely related to primary tumors of the pericardium and is most often caused by spread from other primary sites, such as lung and breast carcinomas, hematological malignancies (lymphoma and leukemia), and melanoma. Although pericardial metastasis from infradiaphragmatic tumors (such as colon cancers) are rare and poorly described in literature, any neoplasm has the potential to metastasize to the pericardium and heart by either contiguity, lymphatic, or hematological spread.
Case presentation
A 44-year-old previously healthy male Causasian patient had a sudden onset of dyspnea and wheezing. During investigation with echocardiogram, computed tomography and repeated pericardiocentesis, the cause of malignant pericardial effusion was confirmed as primary manifestation of metastatic colon cancer. The patient was treated with appropriate chemotherapy and presented satisfactory disease control.
Conclusions
This report emphasizes the importance of considering the diagnostic hypothesis of occult neoplasia in a patient with pericardial effusion.