What is the Difference Between Myxoma and Thrombus

The key difference between myxoma and thrombus is that myxoma is a non-cancerous tumor that arises from the connective tissue, while thrombus is a blood clot that arises in the circulatory system.

Myxoma and thrombus are two medical conditions that are similar in appearance. The appearance of myxoma sometimes mimics the appearance of a thrombus when observed through imaging studies. The differentiation between myxoma and thrombus is very important due to distinct treatment regimes, but it is often difficult. Therefore, the diagnosis of these two conditions correctly is extremely important.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Myxoma 
3. What is Thrombus
4. Similarities – Myxoma and Thrombus
5. Myxoma vs Thrombus in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Myxoma vs Thrombus

What is Myxoma?

Myxoma is a non-cancerous tumor that arises from the connective tissue. It is considered an extremely rare type of tumor. Connective tissue is the tissue that connects and supports other tissues all over the body. Often, myxoma is found in the heart and is referred to as cardiac myxoma. The most common cardiac myxoma is primary cardiac tumor in adults. Myxomas can also occur in other parts of the human body, including skeletal muscles (intramuscular myxoma), eye (conjunctival myxoma), and skin (cutaneous myxoma).

Myxoma usually occurs spontaneously with no underlying cause. However, myxomas have a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors. 1 in 10 cases of myxoma is also inherited. The symptoms of cardiac myxoma include fainting, dyspnea, pulmonary edema, jugular vein distension, edema, hepatosplenomegaly, pulmonary and arterial embolism, and atrial fibrillation. The symptoms of intramuscular myxoma include painless and palpable mass, while the symptoms of cutaneous myxoma include nodules. Moreover, the symptoms of conjunctival myxoma include slow-growing, yellow-pink cyst-like conjunctiva.

Myxoma is diagnosed through physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, and CT scan. Furthermore, myxoma can be treated through the surgical excision of the tumor.

What is Thrombus?

Thrombus is a blood clot that arises in the circulatory system. Thrombus stays firmly attached to the site where it formed and remains there for an extended period. This hinders blood flow. The development of a thrombus is called thrombosis. A thrombus can cause due to genetic predisposition, using tobacco, high cholesterol, obesity, cancer, diabetes, stressful life, and an inactive lifestyle. The symptoms of a thrombus may include unstable angina, heart attack, ischemic stroke, peripheral arterial limb ischemia, chest pain, shortness of breath, dropping on the lower half of the face, a loss of strength in one arm or leg suddenly, and cold, pale and painful limbs.

A thrombus can be diagnosed through duplex ultrasound, D dimer test, venography, MRI, CT scan, and VQ scan. Furthermore, treatment options for a thrombus include surgery, anticoagulants, compression stockings, raising the affected legs, and exercises.

What are the Similarities Between Myxoma and Thrombus?

• Myxoma and thrombus are two medical conditions that are similar in appearance.
• Both medical conditions are non-cancerous.
• Both medical conditions can occur in the heart.
• These conditions have a genetic predisposition.
• Both may have similar symptoms, such as pain and weakness in the affected area.
• They can be diagnosed through imaging tests like CT scans and MRIs.
• They are mainly treated through specific surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Myxoma and Thrombus?

Myxoma is a non-cancerous tumor that arises from the connective tissue, while a thrombus is a blood clot that arises in the circulatory system. Thus, this is the key difference between myxoma and thrombus. Furthermore, myxoma is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, while thrombus is caused by genetic predisposition, using tobacco, high cholesterol, obesity or overweight, cancer, diabetes, stressful life, and an inactive lifestyle.

The below infographic presents the differences between myxoma and thrombus in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Myxoma vs Thrombus

Myxoma and thrombus are two medical conditions that are similar in appearance. Both these medical conditions are non-cancerous. Identifying the difference between myxoma and thrombus is very important because of their distinct treatment regimes. Myxoma is a non-cancerous tumor that arises from the connective tissue, while a thrombus is a blood clot that arises in the circulatory system.

Reference:

1. “Atrial Myxoma.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. “Thrombus.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Atrial myxoma high mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Composition of a fresh thrombus” By Mikael Häggström, M.D.  – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia