Vol. 23 No. 1 (2026)
Narrative Review

Cardiac Involvement in Melanoma: A Review of Clinical Manifestations and Management Strategies

Dr.
McGill University Department of Internal Medicine
Dr.
McGill University Department of Internal Medicine
Ethan Bendayan
McGill University Department of Medicine

Published 2026-10-15

Keywords

  • Melanoma,
  • Cardiac metastases

How to Cite

1.
Bendayan S, Benizri N, Bendayan E. Cardiac Involvement in Melanoma: A Review of Clinical Manifestations and Management Strategies. McGill J Med [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 15 [cited 2026 Oct. 16];23(1). Available from: https://mjm.mcgill.ca/article/view/1145

Abstract

Cardiac involvement in melanoma, while clinically uncommon, presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its often silent course and nonspecific manifestations. Melanoma, a highly metastatic skin cancer, can spread to the heart, often remaining asymptomatic until advanced stages, when it may cause nonspecific symptoms such as chest pain and arrhythmias. This review explores the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of melanoma-related cardiac metastases, emphasizing the importance of advanced imaging techniques for early detection. It also discusses current management strategies, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies, which have improved survival outcomes. However, despite these advances, the prognosis for patients with cardiac metastases remains poor, highlighting the need for further research into more effective treatments.

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