Interleukin-6 and “complex” cardiac myxoma

A rare case of “complex” cardiac myxoma is reported. Complex cardiac myxoma manifests with more constitutional signs than the sporadic type. These constitutional signs are known to be associated with the overproduction of interleukin-6 by cardiac myxomas. In our study, immunohistochemical staining of the myxoma for interleukin-6 was strongly positive. The serum interleukin-6 level decreased after surgical removal of the tumor and has remained undetectable for the past 2 years.