Background

Osteosarcoma, the 3^rd most prevalent paediatric malignancy in the United States, ^{Reference Odri, Tchicaya-Bouanga, Yoon and Modrowski1} has an overall 5-year survival rate of 68%. ^{Reference Hartemayer, Kuo and Kent2,Reference Meazza and Scanagatta3} However, the mean 5-year survival is < 30% for those with metastatic disease. ^{Reference Odri, Tchicaya-Bouanga, Yoon and Modrowski1} In this population, cardiac involvement of osteosarcoma is rare with < 2% of osteosarcoma lesions involving the heart since the 1980s. ^{Reference Hartemayer, Kuo and Kent2} This statistic has been attributed to the advent of adjunctive chemotherapy and is supported by increased echocardiographic surveillance for anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. ^{Reference Hartemayer, Kuo and Kent2}

To date, there is little evidence supporting the management of cardiac metastatic osteosarcoma. The current consensus for any cardiac lesion stipulates a comprehensive combined approach with 1) neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 2) resection of the primary tumour, 3) removal of all identified metastatic lesions, and 4) adjuvant chemotherapy. ^{Reference Meazza and Scanagatta3} In cases of rare and variable cardiac lesions, exhaustive excision of cardiac metastasis has improved survival. ^{Reference Hartemayer, Kuo and Kent2,Reference Pinder, CharafEddine, Parnell, DiBardino and Knudson4} In an extreme case, radicle resection of a right heart lesion and conversion to Fontan-like circulation was also documented. ^{Reference Hoffmeier, Deiters and Schmidt5} We report a case of metastatic osteosarcoma with extensive involvement of the right myocardium, which was successfully resected with full reconstruction and good functional result.

Clinical vignette

A 9-year-old male was diagnosed with expansile sclerotic osteosarcoma (stage III) of the right femoral diaphysis, with multiple metastatic lung lesions and a right ventricular mass. The patient underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, with reduction in primary tumour size and resolution of associated pain. He was anticoagulated with enoxaparin for a suspected thrombus in his right atrium and then underwent a resection of the involved femur with allograft reconstruction. Following discussion at a paediatric tumour board, it was recommended to prioritise surgery for the intra-cardiac mass, followed subsequently by a postero-lateral thoracotomy to resect lung nodules.

Echocardiography at presentation to our centre revealed normal cardiac segmental anatomy with a large, heterogeneous, multi-lobular mass along the right ventricular inflow portion. Its estimated dimensions were ∼ 3.9 X 2.2 cm, and it appeared to invade into the inferior right atrioventricular groove and right ventricular inferolateral wall. It also contained a distinct peduncle attached to the posterior tricuspid leaflet and protruding into the right atrium (Figure 1A). No other masses were detected, and all other cardiac valves appeared normal.

Figure 1.

Transoesophageal ECHO mid-diastole (a) pre-operative ECHO depicting mass attached to the tricuspid valve. (b) post-operative ECHO revealing normal functioning tricuspid valve with no residual tumour.

Following sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, and cardioplegic arrest, the tumour was approached and visualised through a right atriotomy (Figure 2A). The posterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve attached to the tumour was excised. The tumour was then followed through the ventricular wall, excising part of the free wall of the right ventricle and preserving all major coronary branches (Figure 2B). After complete resection (Figure 2C), an oval patch of bovine pericardium was sutured in place to close the right ventricular defect (Figure 2D, black arrow). The tricuspid valve was repaired by initially approximating the annulus, after which the anterior and septal leaflets were sutured together in a fashion similar to an Ebstein cone repair (Figure 2D, dashed arrow). Bypass was weaned with excellent haemodynamics. Postoperative echocardiography revealed a competent tricuspid valve with no residual tumour (Figure 1B). Postoperative course was unremarkable, and the patient was discharged home on postoperative day 4.

Figure 2.

(a) Right atriotomy visualising the tumour. (b) Excised portion of free right ventricle wall. (c) Resected tumour measuring 2 x 3 cm. (d) External view of bovine pericardial patch (black arrow) and cone repair of tricuspid valve (dashed arrow).

Our patient remained in excellent cardiac health without cardiac recurrence or altered function for the next year. Unfortunately, 12 months following our care, a large metastatic spinal cord lesion was found. He underwent emergent palliative radiation therapy, was placed into hospice, and expired 2 months later.