Atrial myxoma; right

Definition:

A primary cardiac tumor involving the connective tissue within the heart, located in the right upper chamber (atrium). See also atrial myxoma; left.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Primary tumors of the heart are rare (most tumors in the heart are the result of spreading (metastasis) from other tumors). Of the primary cardiac tumors, myxomas are the most common. Over 80% of myxomas are in the left atrium (atrial myxoma; left), usually beginning in the intraventricular septum and growing into the atrium. Right atrial myxomas are very rare, occurring in about 1 out of 1,000,000 people. Myxomas are more common in women.

Risk factors include a having a personal or family history of cardiac myxoma (heart tumor). Other risks include a having a history of bowel infarction (tissue death), or a history of peripheral, pulmonary (lung), or systemic emboli. Right atrial myxomas may also be associated with tricuspid stenosis and atrial fibrillation.