Malignant pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade in endometrial adenocarcinoma

Background. Malignant pericardial effusion as a complication of gynecologic al cancers is a rare occurrence. A review of the literature revealed only t wo cases of pericardial effusion secondary to endometrial adenocarcinoma. W e describe another patient with FIGO stage IIIA endometrial cancer who deve loped malignant pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade. Case. A 57-year-old woman with a history of endometrial carcinoma presented with pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. The patient had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, followed by three cycles of radiotherapy postoperatively. Chest X ray and echocardi ogram confirmed the presence of pericardial effusion with impending cardiac tamponade. Pericardial biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma. The treatment consi sted of emergency pericardial window and subsequent therapy with tamoxifen. A follow-up after 6 months revealed the patient to be asymptomatic. Conclusion. Patients with cancer may develop a pericardial effusion for dif ferent reasons. Early diagnosis of the specific cause is not only useful bu t also essential in determination of the mode of therapy and estimation of prognosis. (C) 2001 Academic Press.