"LA myxoma disease" isn't quite the correct term. A myxoma is a type of tumor, and when it occurs in the left atrium (LA) of the heart, it can cause significant health problems. Therefore, a more accurate way to phrase this would be: What is a left atrial (LA) myxoma?
A left atrial myxoma is a non-cancerous (benign) tumor that grows in the left atrium of the heart. Myxomas are actually the most common type of primary cardiac tumor. That means they are the most frequent type of tumor that originates directly in the heart, rather than spreading there from another part of the body.
Key Characteristics of Left Atrial Myxomas
Here's a breakdown of important aspects:
- Location: While myxomas can occur in any chamber of the heart, over 75% of them are found in the left atrium. They typically originate either at the mitral valve annulus or the fossa ovalis border of the interatrial septum.
- Nature: Myxomas are generally benign, meaning they are not cancerous and don't spread to other parts of the body. However, their location can cause serious complications.
- Prevalence: Myxomas make up a significant portion of primary heart tumors.
Potential Problems Caused by Left Atrial Myxomas
Even though they are non-cancerous, left atrial myxomas can cause several problems due to their location and size:
- Obstruction of Blood Flow: As the myxoma grows, it can obstruct the flow of blood through the mitral valve (the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle). This can lead to symptoms similar to mitral valve stenosis (narrowing of the mitral valve).
- Embolization: Fragments of the myxoma can break off and travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. This can cause strokes, pulmonary emboli (if the myxoma is in the right side of the heart), or other organ damage.
- Valve Damage: The myxoma can damage the heart valves, leading to regurgitation (leaking) or stenosis.
- Arrhythmias: In some cases, a myxoma can cause abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
Symptoms of Left Atrial Myxoma
The symptoms of a left atrial myxoma can vary depending on its size and location, but some common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath, especially with exertion
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Swelling in the ankles and feet
- Fever
- Weight loss
Because the symptoms can mimic other heart conditions, diagnosis often requires echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart).
Treatment for Left Atrial Myxoma
The primary treatment for a left atrial myxoma is surgical removal. Because of the risk of serious complications, surgery is usually recommended as soon as the diagnosis is made. The surgery involves opening the heart and carefully removing the myxoma. In most cases, this is a curative procedure.
