Infiltrative cardiomyopathy and pericardial disease

Infiltrative cardiomyopathies and pericardial involvement frequently complicate the course of malignancy and usually portend a poor outcome. The initial presentation is usually non-specific, and timely diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion on the part of both the oncologist and the consulting cardiologist. The goal of this review was to illustrate three potential infiltrative conditions of the myocardium with associated cardiomyopathies that are encountered in cancer patients: cardiac amyloid, iron overload, and lymphomatous infiltration. We also review the common manifestations of pericardial disease in cancer patients and outline optimal management.