PRIMARY PULMONARY-ARTERY SARCOMA - A REPORT OF 6 CASES

Pulmonary artery tumors are rare and a frequently over-looked cause of pulmonary artery occlusion. The presentation is one of progressive pu lmonary dysfunction and right ventricular failure. The diagnosis seldo m is made preoperatively. We report 6 cases of primary sarcoma of the pulmonary artery identified at operation which were treated surgically . Resection with or without adjuvant therapy currently offers the only chance for survival. Emphasis must be placed on earlier identificatio n of these tumors.