Surgeons Removed Rare Masson Tumor in September 2026

A 46-year-old patient underwent a successful resection of a 14-cm cardiac tumor originating from the inferior vena cava.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Heart Disease

Isometric editorial illustration of a surgical clamp on a blue tray, representing a specialized medical resection procedure. — Surgeons at UMass Chan Medical School successfully removed a rare 14-cm Masson tumor from a patient’s inferior vena cava in September 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

In September 2026, surgeons at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester performed a complex resection to remove a 14-cm Masson tumor. The procedure followed a patient's presentation with chest pain and syncopal episodes.

Why it matters

The successful identification and removal of this rare vascular tumor resolved the patient's acute symptoms, which had previously mimicked other cardiac conditions. This case underscores the importance of advanced diagnostic imaging in detecting cardiac masses that present with syncope.

A 46-year-old patient presented with vital signs of 119/76 mm Hg blood pressure and 80 beats per minute heart rate. Immunohistochemical testing confirmed the diagnosis, showing positive markers for CD31 and smooth muscle actin.

The players

UMass Chan Medical School

This Worcester-based academic health sciences center serves as a major hub for medical research and surgical practice in Massachusetts.

The details

After the patient experienced repeated syncope and chest pain, physicians utilized transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography to locate the mass. Surgeons subsequently performed a resection of the 14-cm growth, which was definitively identified as a Masson tumor following analysis.

The patient experienced syncopal episodes and chest pain in September 2026.

The Big Picture

This case follows the established diagnostic and surgical protocols utilized at the UMass Chan Medical School for treating complex intravenous masses. The successful resection highlights the efficacy of modern cardiothoracic interventions for rare vascular neoplasms.

The success of this surgery suggests that patients presenting with unexplained syncope or chest pain should undergo thorough echocardiographic evaluation to rule out cardiac masses. Proper immunohistochemical screening remains essential for patients receiving a diagnosis of rare vascular tumors.

The takeaway

Cardiac tumors often present with vague symptoms like syncope that mimic more common issues such as pulmonary embolisms. Seeking specialized diagnostic imaging is vital for identifying rare vascular growths that require surgical intervention.