Primary extramedullary plasmacytoma in the atria of the heart

A rare case of primary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the heart is describe d. The large space-occupying tumor in the atrial wall and its associated si gnificant pericardial effusion caused marked impairment of cardiovascular f unction. The diagnosis was made via intravenous biopsy. Immunohistochemistr y demonstrated CD45 and kappa light chain expression. Other B-cell- and T-c ell-specific lymphoid markers were negative. Elevated kappa light chain was detected in serum by immunofixation electrophoresis. The differential diag nosis of plasmacytoma should be considered in cardiac tumors when routine s creening is negative with lymphoid (CD20, CD3) and soft tissue immumohistoc hemical markers. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.