Anyone ever suffered a Myxoma?

Question

Has anyone ever heard of a Myxoma? I had open-heart surgery a little over two years ago to remove a golf-ball size tumor, aka Myxoma, from the upper left atrium of my heart. The doc suspected the growth of the tumor probably started in my mid-teens, and it was removed when I was 28. I did research online, and several sites stated that this type tumor was usually found in autopsy reports! Anyway, the tumor was completely occluding the atrium stated above, so the blood flow literally almost stopped at times, which in turn caused me to almost black out. Just wanted to know if anyone else has heard of this type tumor, and if so, please let me know your experience or what you've heard about Myxomas. Thanks!

Answer 1

I not a Patient of Myxima and I consulted with my heart Surgeon and I am giving below what he has told me.

Myxoma is a rare, usually noncancerous, primary tumor (a new growth of tissue) of the heart. It is the most common of all benign heart tumors.

Myxoma is an intracardiac tumor; it is found inside the heart. Seventy five percent of all myxomas are found in the left atrium, and almost all other myxomas are found in the right atrium. It is very rare for a myxoma to be found in either of the ventricles. The tumor takes one of two general shapes: a round, firm mass, or an irregular shaped, soft, gelatinous mass. They are attached to the endocardium, the inside lining of the heart. The cells that make up the tumor are spindle-shaped cells and are embedded in a matrix rich in mucopolysaccharides (a group of carbohydrates). Myxomas may contain calcium, which shows up on x rays. The tumor gets its blood supply from capillaries that bring blood from the heart to the tumor. Thrombi (blood clots) may be attached to the outside of the myxoma.

Surgery is used to remove the tumor. Myxomas can regrow if they are not completely removed. The survival rate for this operation is excellent. Successful removal of the tumor rids the patient of this disease. Emboli from a myxoma may survive in other areas of the body. However, there is no evidence that myxoma is truly metastatic (able to transfer disease from one area to another), causing tumors in other areas of the body.

So you need not worry too much and have regular check up by your cardiologist. -