Remission of cardiac lymphoma with supervoltage radiation

A thirty-eight year old man with known lymphoblastic lymphoma presented with a three month history of progressive dyspnea. A loud systolic ejection murmur was heard over the pulmonic area, and cardiac fluoroscopy demonstrated a pericardial effusion. At cardiac catheterization a large mass was seen to fill and obstruct the pulmonary outflow tract. No other lesions were apparent. Pericardiocentesis and supervoltage radiation to the tumor mass produced marked clinical and hemodynamic improvement. After a total dose of 3,800 rads to the pulmonary artery and 2,400 rads to the pericardium the tumor was markedly reduced in size with no recurrence of pericardial fluid. The patient continues to do well eight months after treatment.