Lymphosarcoma of the Right Atrium

A patient had lymphosarcoma involving the right atrium and the tricuspid valve. The tumor mass produced a syndrome suggestive of pericardial constriction. Chemotherapy directed against lymphosarcoma was associated with a regression of the hemodynamic abnormalities caused by the tumor. Angiographic and hemodynamic observations document this regression. Patient Summary A 32-year-old black man had been in good health until January 1972 when he was hospitalized after having "passed out" twice. A chest x-ray film at that time showed a right paratracheal mass, and a scalene node biopsy showed malignant lymphoma, lymphocytic type, poorly differentiated. He had no enlargement of his liver, kidneys, or spleen. The bone marrow examination, intravenous pyelogram, upper gastrointestinal tract series, and esophogram were all normal. He was treated with 4,700 rads to his mediastinum with resulting dramatic shrinkage of the mass, and he was discharged to follow-up as an outpatient. Three months after the start of therapy,