What is a myxoma?

A myxoma is a benign tumor commonly found in adults, particularly in the left atrium of the heart. These tumors are the most frequent primary cardiac tumors in adults and are typically non-cancerous, meaning they do not invade surrounding tissues or metastasize to distant sites in the body. Although they are benign, myxomas can still cause significant problems depending on their size and location, primarily by obstructing blood flow or causing embolic events.

Myxomas are often associated with specific symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and signs of heart failure, usually due to obstructive effects on cardiac function or other complications like stroke if fragments of the tumor dislodge into the bloodstream. Surgical removal is frequently required to treat symptomatic myxomas and to prevent further complications.

The other choices relate to different aspects of cardiac pathology: malignant tumors of the heart are less common and tend to have different characteristics; infectious lesions might describe conditions caused by infections, such as endocarditis; and congenital heart defects refer to structural abnormalities in the heart that are present from birth. Each of these distinctions helps to clarify why a myxoma is categorized as a benign tumor, making the first choice the most accurate description.