Leiomyosarcoma of left atrium extending into left pulmonary vein-a case report

Left atrial leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon entity and accounts for 0.25 % of all cardiac tumors. Though long term survival is a rarity, surgical excision of the tumor helps in prolonging life. Its diagnosis is almost always confirmed on histopathology. We report a 72 years old male who presented with severe dyspnoea. A diagnosis of left atrial myxoma was made before surgery. The tumor was found to occupy the whole of the left atrial cavity and extended into left pulmonary vein. The left atrial tumor mass was excised along with the left atrial wall but due to his advanced age and severe pulmonary hypertension no attempt was made to do a left pneumonectomy. © 2013 Indian Association of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons.