Primary pediatric cardiac tumors: a single-center experience from a high-volume pediatric cardiac center

Aim Cardiac tumors in children are rare and often asymptomatic. Nevertheless, in a subset of pediatric patients, they may lead to serious clinical conditions such as arrhythmia, outflow tract obstruction, or even death. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, surgical management, and outcomes of pediatric patients diagnosed with cardiac tumors in a single high-volume pediatric cardiac center. Methods This retrospective study included all pediatric patients who underwent surgery for cardiac tumors between January 1, 2020, and January 1, 2025. Data regarding age at diagnosis, presenting symptoms, clinical status, imaging findings, and pathological diagnoses were collected and analyzed statistically. Results During the study period, eight operated cases of primary cardiac tumors were identified. Fifty percent of the patients were male, and the median age at diagnosis was 2 years (IQR 1–4 years). Prenatal diagnosis was made in three cases. Thirty-eight percent of the patients were asymptomatic. Among symptomatic patients, the most common presenting complaint was arrhythmia in 37.5% of cases (n = 3), followed by chest pain in 12.5% (n = 1) and a heart murmur in 12.5% (n = 1). The most frequently observed cardiac tumor was cardiac rhabdomyoma in three patients, followed by fibroma in two cases, myxoma in two cases, and teratoma in one case. One patient died after the surgical procedure. Conclusion Pediatric cardiac tumors are relatively rare, generally benign, and associated with favorable outcomes. However, tumors causing acute complications or significant clinical deterioration require timely and effective surgical intervention to prevent adverse outcomes.