General
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• Rare; associated with HIV or other immunocompromise
• Primary if all of tumor is within pericardium; otherwise secondary
• Primary tumors are rare
• Most common subtype is diffuse large B cell lymphoma (Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss 2005;98:875, Leuk Lymphoma 2004;45:781)
• Poor prognosis, since usually advanced disease
• Not associated with EBV (Arch Pathol Lab Med 1996;120:555)

Case reports
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• 29 year old man with anaplastic large cell lymphoma-presenting with embolic stroke (Blood 2003;101:4708)
• Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma-massive cardiac involvement (Arch Pathol Lab Med 1991;115:1052)
• Burkitt's lymphoma mimicking acute pulmonary embolism (J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2006;16:536)
• Diffuse large B cell lymphoma-with hemophagocytic syndrome (Haematologica 2002;87:ECR27)
• Primary cardiac lymphoma and complete atrioventricular block (Acta Cardiol 2007;62:55)

Gross description
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• Firm nodules within any chamber and often in pericardium

Gross images
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Diffuse large B cell lymphoma in 24 year old HIV+ drug addict

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Lymphoma-unspecified

Micro images
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Anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Burkitt lymphoma

     

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma

   

Follicular center cell lymphoma

Infiltration of bundle of His and degeneration of its myofibrils

Infiltration of interventricular septum (left) and endocardium (right)

Infiltration of proximal left bundle branch

Cytology images
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Diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Additional references
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• Angiology 2003;54:599

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