Objective To analyze the causes of cardiac myxoma recurrence and discuss its clinical classification. Methods We reviewed the data of two female patients, aged thirty three and forty two, with recurrent cardiac myxoma, who were admitted into our hospital separately in December 2004 and October 2005. We searched articles with “cardiac myxoma” as the key words at www.cqvip.com, and reviewed literature of big case groups having undergone surgical operations, case reports of recurrence and literature with a followup time longer than 4 years between January 1994 and December 2008. Results We reviewed a total of 1 969 cases of cardiac myxoma, in which there were 60 recurrent cases with a recurrence rate of 3.0%, and there were 15 recurrence case reports. Data analysis showed that single pedicle recurrence rate was 3.0% (3/99) and multiple pedicle recurrence rate was 35.7% (5/14); In two reports on cardiac myxoma distributed in multiple chambers, the recurrence rate was 41.7% (5/12) and 33.3% (3/9) respectively;Average interval of recurrence was 4.1 years; Repeated recurrence happened to 9 cases (12.0%) with the most repetition times of 4 in one case; Malignancy on recurrence was found in one case; Reoperation rate was 64.0% (32/50); Six cases (8.0%) were familial myxoma. Accordingly, we advocate a clinical classification of “typical” and “atypical” cardiac myxoma. The typical myxoma refers to the tumors located at left atrium with single pedicle, rooted at or around fossa ovalis, and without abnormal DNA, while the atypical myxoma are familial tumors and tumors stemming from multiple points or multiple chambers, rooted in abnormal position of the left atrium, arising from clear gene mutation, or with malignant tendency. Conclusion Myxomas with multiple pedicles, distributed in more than one chamber, and rooted in abnormal position of the left atrium have a much higher recurrence rate. Close follow-up is needed for abovementioned patients to achieve an optimal treatment results.
