Pericarditis in malignancy overview


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.; Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

Overview
Many malignant neoplasms such as lung cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, lymphomas, melanomas, kaposi's sarcoma and leukemias may metastasize to pericardium causing pericarditis, effusion, cardiac tamponade and pericardial constriction. Malignant pericardial effusion is seen in approximately 50-60% of patients presenting with pericardial effusion who have history of malignancy. Among patients presenting with pericarditis or pericardial effusion with no history of malignancy, undiagnosed underlying malignancy was detected in 4-7%.

Malignancy related pericardial disease can manifest as pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade or pericardial constriction.