Bony and cartilaginous tumors of the heart and great vessels.Report of an osteosarcoma of the pulmonary artery

Abstract

An osteosarcoma of the pulmonary artery is reported, and 8 other cases of tumors of the heart and great vessels containing bony or cartilaginous components are reviewed. All arose near the base of the heart, and all contained a fibrosarcomatous element. Women in the fourth and fifth decade are most frequently affected and survive an average of 27 months from first symptom. These tumors are sluggishly aggressive, but eventually fatal because of their critical location. They probably arise from fibrous tissue of the cardiac valves, atrioventricular groove, or vascular intima and undergo malignant metaplasia into bone, cartilage, and other mesenchymal elements.