Cytological Diagnosis of Primary Cardiac Angiosarcoma Presenting With Multiple Serous Effusions: A Case Report With Cell Block.
Canfei Xu, Yushuang Gong
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 42-year-old female presented with abdominal distension and exertional dyspnea, leading to the discovery of a cardiac space-occupying lesion and multiple serous effusions. Diagnosis of primary cardiac angiosarcoma was confirmed through cytomorphological analysis of pleural effusion, cell block preparation, and immunocytochemical staining. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, achieving stable clinical condition.
What made this case unusual
The case highlights the successful use of cell block preparation for both cytological diagnosis and molecular testing in a rare primary cardiac tumor.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Cytopathology, particularly through pleural effusion analysis, can be crucial for diagnosing primary cardiac tumors when histological samples are unattainable.
Why it matters
This case underscores the potential of cell block specimens for molecular testing, enhancing the understanding of genetic profiles in rare tumors like primary cardiac angiosarcoma.