Dictation Template

Cardiovascular masses

Background

Cardiac neoplasms can be separated into primary or secondary and whilst the latter are more common, most surgical resections are for primary tumours.

The two most common benign cardiac masses are myxomas and papillary fibroelastomas. Malignant primary cardiac tumours are rare but include pericardial mesotheliomas, lymphomas and sarcomas.^1-5

Record the patient identifying information and any clinical information supplied together with the specimen description as designated on the container. See overview page for more detail on identification principles.

See general information for more detail on specimen handling procedures.

Inspect the specimen and dictate a macroscopic description.

External Inspection

Orientate and identify the anatomical features of the specimen; base of cardiac myxomas and cardiac attachments of other masses.

Procedure

Record as stated by the clinican

Specimen integrity

• Intact
• Disrupted

Anatomical components included (more than one may apply) and specimen dimensions (mm)

Describe and measure the anatomical components present.

• Total specimen, in three dimensions¹
• Specimen weight (g)¹
• Epicardium¹
  • Absent
  • Present, measure in three dimensions
• Endocardium¹
  • Absent
  • Present, measure in three dimensions
• Myocardium¹
  • Absent
  • Present, measure in three dimensions
• Any other identifiable normal structure(s) e.g. interatrial septum or valve¹
• For biopsy specimens, record the site and number of fragments, see protocol provided

Specimen description

• Colour
• Consistency
  • Gelatinous
  • Solid
  • Rubbery
• Shape
• Surface
  • Smooth
  • Rough
  • Villous
• Type of growth
• Presence of pedicle
• Other, specify

Photograph the intact specimen if required.

Describe the following features of the specimen:

Dissection

Paint the surgical resection margins with ink. Serially section the specimen at 5mm intervals allowing evaluation of the margins.

Internal Inspection

Describe the cut surface appearance including the following items:

Tumour site (if known)

Tumour focality

• Indeterminate
• Unifocal
• Multifocal
  • Number of tumours
  • Location of each

Tumour description

• Appearance
  • Cystic degeneration
  • Calcification(s)
  • Necrosis
  • Haemorrhage
  • Colour
  • Other, specify
• Describe any involvement of tumour with adjacent normal structures¹
• Distance of tumour to margin(s) in mm

Tumour integrity

• Indeterminate
• Intact
• Disrupted, describe

Tumour size

• Primary tumour, in three dimensions
• Other tumours or tumour-like lesions, in three dimensions

Photograph the dissected specimen, if required.

Note photographs taken, diagrams recorded and markings used for identification.

Processing

Submit representative sections of the specimen.

• Sections perpendicular to the surgical margin(s).¹
• At least one section per 10mm of tumour demonstrating the relationship with adjacent tissue¹
• Sample any areas of necrosis and heterogeneity¹

An illustrated block key similar to the one provided may be useful.

Acknowledgements

Prof Tony Thomas for his contribution in reviewing and editing this protocol.

Block allocation key

References

1. Stone JR, Basso C, Baandrup UT, Bruneval P, et al. Recommendations for processing cardiovascular surgical pathology specimens: a consensus statement from the Standards and Definitions Committee of the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology and the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology. Cardiovasc Pathol. 2012;21(1):2-16.
2. Sheppard MN, Mohiaddin R. Tumors of the heart. Future cardiology. 2010;6(2):181-93.
3. Boyle JJ, Rassl DM, Neil D, Suvarna K and Doran H. Tissue Pathways for Cardiovascular Pathology, The Royal College of Pathologists, London, 2008.
4. Sheppard M and Davies MJ. Tumours of the Heart. In: Practical Cardiovascular Pathology, Arnold, London, 1998.
5. Burke A, Jeudy JJ and Virmani R. Cardiac tumours: an update: Cardiac tumours. Heart 2008;94:117-123.