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Cardiac sarcoma is a rare but highly aggressive malignant tumor that develops from the connective tissues of the heart. Unlike benign cardiac tumors, sarcomas grow rapidly and often invade nearby heart structures, making treatment challenging. They most commonly affect adults and can arise in any chamber of the heart, although the left atrium is a frequent location. Because of their rapid growth, symptoms may appear suddenly and include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, swelling of the legs, or signs of heart failure. In some cases, tumor fragments may break away and cause embolic complications.

Diagnosis typically involves echocardiography, cardiac MRI, CT scans, and tissue biopsy to determine the tumor type and extent of spread. Early detection is important, but many cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to nonspecific symptoms. Treatment usually includes surgical removal whenever possible, often combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy to control disease progression. However, complete surgical excision is not always achievable because of local invasion.

The overall prognosis for cardiac sarcoma remains poor compared to other heart tumors, mainly because of its aggressive behavior and high recurrence rate. Ongoing research into targeted therapies and advanced surgical techniques aims to improve survival outcomes and provide better quality of life for affected patients.