Myxoma overview


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief:

Overview
A myxoma (Myxo- = Latin for mucus) is the most common primary tumor of the heart. Myxomas are usually located in either the left or right atrium of the heart; about 86 percent occur in the left atrium.

Myxomas are typically pedunculated, with a stalk that is attached to the interatrial septum. The most common location for attachment of the stalk is the fossa ovalis region of the interatrial septum.

The phrase "myxomatous degeneration" refers to the process in which connective tissue becomes filled with mucus.

About 71% of myxomas occur in the heart, 41% on the skin, and 7% in the oral cavity (usually on the palate).