TUMORS OF THE HEART

Abstract

During the summer of 1937 there came under observation at the New York City Hospital, Welfare Island, a case of intractable cardiac dysfunction. Certain features presented by the patient suggested the presence of a malignant tumor of the heart. We were able to confirm the diagnosis later by autopsy. Search of the records in the pathologic laboratory revealed 3 other cases of cardiac disease due to neoplasm. These 4 cases form the basis of this report. REPORT OF CASES Case 1. —Lymphosarcoma of upper retroperitoneal and mediastinal lymph nodes, with metastases to heart, pleura, lungs, diaphragm, pancreas, thyroid and kidneys. A white married woman aged 17, seven months pregnant, was admitted to the obstetric division, service of Dr. K. Johnson, on May 11, 1937. The family history was essentially irrelevant. She had been born with forceps delivery and breast fed for three or four months. Until the age of 5