Primary Cardiac Lymphoma Revealed by Dyspnea in an Immunocompromised Patient: About a Case Observed at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lome (Togo), and Review of the Literature

Cardiac tumors are rare and dominated by benign tumors. However, the frequency of primary malignancies appears to increase with HIV / AIDS infection. We report the case of primary cardiac lymphoma revealed by dyspnea in an immunocompromised. This is a 61-year-old patient, followed for HIV 2 infection, on antiretroviral therapy, hospitalized for exertional dyspnea which gradually worsened over six months, associated with palpitations and faintness. The admission exam noted irregular heart sounds, right heart failure, and tricuspid rolling. The echocardiogram showed a tumor mass in the right ventricle, prolapsing into the right atrium through the tricuspid valve, an intrapericardial tumor mass with moderate effusion. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the tissue character of the right intraventricular mass and the pericardium. Symptomatic medical treatment resulted in functional improvement. Cardiac surgery was performed, with resection of the right intraventricular and pericardial tumor. The pathological examination of the surgical specimens concluded in large cell B lymphoma. The patient died 5 months later with a picture of deterioration in general condition.

Keywords: Cardiac tumors, Primary lymphoma, Sub-Saharan Africa.