Research

Intimal pulmonary artery sarcoma presenting as dyspnea: case report

Jeff M Hsing¹, Snehal G Thakkar², Ernest C Borden² and George T Budd²

¹  Department of Internal Medicine, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

²  Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2007, 4:14doi:10.1186/1477-7800-4-14

Published:	29 June 2007

Abstract

Background

We report a case of pulmonary sarcoma which is a rare cause of the common symptom of dyspnea.

Case presentation

A fifty-one year old previously healthy male presented to the emergency room with complaints of dyspnea on exertion. A cardiac workup including an exercise stress test was negative but an echocardiography showed pulmonary stenosis. Cardiac MRI showed a large mass extending from the pulmonic valve to both the right and left pulmonary arteries suggestive of sarcoma. A complete resection and repair of the pulmonary artery was done and adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin and ifosfamide was recommended. The patient is currently disease free after eighteen months.

Conclusion

Pulmonary artery sarcomas are a difficult diagnosis. The diagnosis may remain elusive for some time until the proper imaging techniques are utilized to make a diagnosis. Earlier and accurate diagnosis may lead to earlier interventions and improve survival.