Cardiac complications of cancer and anticancer treatment

Malignant pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade Etiology Involvement of the pericardium is most frequently observed in patients with advanced lung and breast cancer, leukemia, lymphomas and malignant melanoma. The onset of symptoms may be gradual or rapid, depending on the rate of fluid accumulation. As fluid accumulates, the subsequent increase in intrapericardial pressure affects the diastolic filling of the heart, leading to a restrictive cardiac output reduction.