NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-.

Authors

Affiliations

Continuing Education Activity

Cardiac rhabdomyoma is a rare tumor. It arises from the striated muscles. It is a type of hamartoma seen in the pediatric age group. Although mostly asymptomatic, symptoms of congestive heart failure can develop. Arrhythmia is also seen if the conduction pathways are affected. Pharmacotherapy and surgical resection are indicated in cases of hemodynamic compromise and the progression of the disease. This activity reviews the evaluation and treatment of cardiac rhabdomyoma and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in evaluating and treating patients with this condition.

Objectives:

• Identify the etiology of cardiac rhabdomyoma and its complications.
• Review the steps necessary in the evaluation of cardiac rhabdomyoma.
• Outline the treatment options available for cardiac rhabdomyoma.
• Summarize interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication to advance cardiac rhabdomyoma and improve outcomes.

Introduction

Cardiac rhabdomyoma is a rare and benign mesenchymal tumor of striated muscle origin. It most commonly involves the head and neck.[1] It is under cardiac and extracardiac types. Extracardiac are further classified into adult, fetal, and germ cell tumors. Cardiac rhabdomyoma (CR) is the most common pediatric heart tumor, mostly occurring before the age of 1 year. Anatomically, they are considered hamartomas. Most cardiac rhabdomyomas are associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS) and appear in the ventricular myocardium, the atria, the cavoatrial junction, or the epicardial surface.

Most cardiac rhabdomyomas are multiple and pursue a course of spontaneous regression; surgical resection is not advisable unless the patient is symptomatic. The symptoms develop as a result of the obstruction of blood inflow or outflow, resulting in congestive heart failure. Arrhythmias can also occur, ranging from bradycardia secondary to sinus or atrioventricular node (AVN) dysfunction to atrial/ventricular tachycardia, AVN reentrant tachycardia, or ventricular pre-excitation.

Etiology

Genetic modification during the development of striated muscle may be the cause of rhabdomyoma. There are no other identified causes. Between 80% and 90 % of the cardiac rhabdomyomas are associated with tuberous sclerosis.[2][3][4]

Epidemiology

Primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare and occur in 0.2% of children.[5] Cardiac rhabdomyomas are the most common cardiac tumor in children (45%).[5] It is observed both in men and women, without any predilection for races.

Pathophysiology

Cardiac rhabdomyoma belongs to the hamartomatous subtype. It is most often identifiable in 20 to 30 weeks of gestation. Tumors are identified more in the fetal series than in the postnatal series. With the advent of imaging technology, the rate of fetal detection is on the rise. The interventricular septum, the left and right ventricles, and the atrioventricular valves are usually involved. It grows in the myocardium of the cardiac muscle. It can be sporadic, but a strong clinical association exists between cardiac rhabdomyoma and tuberous sclerosis[6] - an autosomal dominant condition characterized by benign hamartomas in multiple organ systems. Diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis is usually clinical, and further genetic testing looking forTSC1 andTSC2 gene mutations is confirmatory. 

Histopathology

Cardiac rhabdomyomas are comprised of cells resembling embryonic cardiac muscle cells. The histopathology reveals abnormal myocyte architecture, vacuolization, and spider cells (pathognomic).[7]

History and Physical

Cardiac rhabdomyoma can be identified as a mass in utero using ultrasonography. The presentation can vary from heart blocks, hydrops fetalis, or pericardial effusion.[7] If the tumor is large enough, intrauterine fetal demise can also be present. After birth, they are usually asymptomatic; if symptomatic, they typically present with signs and symptoms of heart failure and ventricular dysfunction from the obstruction of the outflow or inflow of blood. Dyspnea is one of the major initial patient complaints. Tumors are diagnosed more commonly in fetal series than in postnatal series, resulting in an increased sensitivity of fetal echocardiograms.[8] Due to its close association with tuberous sclerosis, physical findings of tuberous sclerosis-like ash leaf macules, shagreen patches, or sebaceous adenoma can also be in the patient presentation.

Evaluation

As cardiac rhabdomyoma most commonly correlates with tuberous sclerosis, a baseline 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) is necessary at the time of diagnosis, even without any cardiac symptoms, with routine EKGs every 2 to 5 years thereafter. The imaging modality of choice is echocardiography (ECHO). Cardiac rhabdomyoma presents as multiple, echogenic, and nodular masses in the ventricular myocardium. Cardiac rhabdomyoma can also protrude into the ventricular cavity. They are more homogenous and hyperechoic than the normal myocardium. The findings can be misinterpreted as a different cardiac tumor-like atrial myxoma if the location is atypical (atria) or there is a single large solitary tumor. Other imaging modalities like cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be used as an adjunct to ECHO in cases of equivocal findings. The MRI gives a better delineation of the tumor and can be very helpful in cases of planned surgical resection. It also provides a more reliable estimate of ventricular systolic function.[7]

Treatment / Management

Cardiac rhabdomyomas are asymptomatic and regress spontaneously. In rare instances of hemodynamic compromise and congestive heart failure, pharmacotherapy with angiotensin-converting (ACE) enzyme inhibitors, digitalis, and diuretics is indicated. Prostaglandin E can be used to manage hemodynamic instability in a critically ill newborn. Antiarrhythmics are useful when there are conduction defects or any other ventricular arrhythmia. Partial or complete surgical resection of the mass is indicated in cases of hemodynamic compromise and congestive heart failure due to a large tumor.[9] Partial resection is preferred if there is a high risk of damage to the myocardial mass or vital structure by complete excision. Orthotopic heart transplantation is considered in extremely rare events when the tumor is so large that it has replaced the normal myocardial tissue. 

Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnosis includes:

• Cardiac fibroma
• Atrial myxoma
• Hemangioma
• Teratoma
• Thrombus
• Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor

Treatment Planning

If the patient is asymptomatic, watchful waiting is advised as most tumors regress on their own. If symptomatic, the patient requires admission to the cardiac intensive care unit. The mTOR inhibitors are a consideration in cases associated with tuberous sclerosis. 

Prognosis

The patients who have had surgery for the removal of rhabdomyoma have a fair to good prognosis. The highest risk is among cardiac rhabdomyomas. They may grow and obstruct the left ventricular outflow tract, thus causing abnormalities in the flow, or may cause ventricular tachycardias or heart blocks.[7] The presence of fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma may be a sign of tuberous sclerosis, and thus, one should evaluate other structures ie, the renal or brain parenchyma for tumors; this is because cardiac rhabdomyoma is often the first symptom of tuberous sclerosis, followed by neurological involvement and impairment.[10]

Complications

The complications of cardiac rhabdomyoma include the following:

• Infections
• Arrhythmias (bradycardia and tachycardia)
• Congestive heart failure
• Hemodynamic compromise

Postoperative and Rehabilitation Care

Routine postoperative care, such as regular dressings and suture removal, is necessary. Analgesics like acetaminophen, codeine, and oxycodone can help control postoperative pain.

Consultations

Cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery will consult on these cases.

Deterrence and Patient Education

The patient requires education about the course of the disease. Routine follow-up is recommended to look for any development of the symptoms. 

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

The approach to managing cardiac rhabdomyoma is interprofessional. Interpersonal communication between the clinician, cardiologists, and cardiothoracic surgeon plays a pivotal role. There is a growing body of evidence for the use of everolimus in the management of cardiac rhabdomyoma, and pharmacists can guide the proper use of the medication. Every step of the management needs to be communicated to the family, which is also an important part of patient-centered care. Patient safety should always be a priority, which again requires a great team effort and performance. 

Review Questions

• Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.
• Click here for a simplified version.
• Comment on this article.

References

1.

Hansen T, Katenkamp D. Rhabdomyoma of the head and neck: morphology and differential diagnosis.Virchows Arch.2005 Nov;447(5):849-54. [PubMed: 16133368]

2.

Beghetti M, Gow RM, Haney I, Mawson J, Williams WG, Freedom RM. Pediatric primary benign cardiac tumors: a 15-year review.Am Heart J.1997 Dec;134(6):1107-14. [PubMed: 9424072]

3.

Bosi G, Lintermans JP, Pellegrino PA, Svaluto-Moreolo G, Vliers A. The natural history of cardiac rhabdomyoma with and without tuberous sclerosis.Acta Paediatr.1996 Aug;85(8):928-31. [PubMed: 8863873]

4.

Kocabaş A, Ekici F, Cetin Iİ, Emir S, Demir HA, Arı ME, Değerliyurt A, Güven A. Cardiac rhabdomyomas associated with tuberous sclerosis complex in 11 children: presentation to outcome.Pediatr Hematol Oncol.2013 Mar;30(2):71-9. [PubMed: 23151153]

5.

Freedom RM, Lee KJ, MacDonald C, Taylor G. Selected aspects of cardiac tumors in infancy and childhood.Pediatr Cardiol.2000 Jul-Aug;21(4):299-316. [PubMed: 10865003]

6.

Shen Q, Shen J, Qiao Z, Yao Q, Huang G, Hu X. Cardiac rhabdomyomas associated with tuberous sclerosis complex in children. From presentation to outcome.Herz.2015 Jun;40(4):675-8. [PubMed: 24609800]

7.

Hinton RB, Prakash A, Romp RL, Krueger DA, Knilans TK., International Tuberous Sclerosis Consensus Group. Cardiovascular manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex and summary of the revised diagnostic criteria and surveillance and management recommendations from the International Tuberous Sclerosis Consensus Group.J Am Heart Assoc.2014 Nov 25;3(6):e001493. [PMC free article: PMC4338742] [PubMed: 25424575]

8.

Holley DG, Martin GR, Brenner JI, Fyfe DA, Huhta JC, Kleinman CS, Ritter SB, Silverman NH. Diagnosis and management of fetal cardiac tumors: a multicenter experience and review of published reports.J Am Coll Cardiol.1995 Aug;26(2):516-20. [PubMed: 7608458]

9.

Stiller B, Hetzer R, Meyer R, Dittrich S, Pees C, Alexi-Meskishvili V, Lange PE. Primary cardiac tumours: when is surgery necessary?Eur J Cardiothorac Surg.2001 Nov;20(5):1002-6. [PubMed: 11675188]

10.

Pavlicek J, Klaskova E, Kapralova S, Prochazka M, Vrtel R, Gruszka T, Kacerovsky M. Fetal heart rhabdomyomatosis: a single-center experience.J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med.2021 Mar;34(5):701-707. [PubMed: 31032681]

Disclosure:Sharmila Sarkar declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure:Waqas Siddiqui declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

This book is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits others to distribute the work, provided that the article is not altered or used commercially. You are not required to obtain permission to distribute this article, provided that you credit the author and journal.