Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

What type of tumor is typically found on the AV node?

1. Mesothelioma

2. Teratomas

3. Lymphomas

4. Hemangioma

The correct answer is: Mesothelioma

The typical tumor found on the AV node is a mesothelioma. Mesotheliomas are derived from mesothelial cells and can occasionally present as cardiac tumors. While they are more commonly seen as pleural or peritoneal tumors, they can appear in rare instances affecting the heart, including the AV node. This positioning in the heart is particularly significant because the atrioventricular node is critical for electrical conduction between the atria and ventricles. Therefore, a tumor in this location can lead to disruptions in heart rhythm, highlighting the importance of recognizing such tumors. The other types of tumors mentioned, such as teratomas, lymphomas, and hemangiomas, have different typical presentations and locations. Teratomas are more commonly found in the mediastinum or gonads, lymphomas often present in lymph nodes or as systemic illness rather than isolated cardiac involvement, and hemangiomas are vascular tumors that typically manifest as skin lesions or in organs but are rarer in the heart compared to mesotheliomas affecting the AV node.