What does myxoma mean?
A myxoma is a usually benign tumour made from mucoid, or jelly-like, connective tissue. Such tumours contain abundant mucin and relatively few blood vessels, which can make them appear soft or translucent when examined. The best-known examples occur in the heart, especially the left atrium, where they may interfere with blood flow or cause material from the tumour to travel elsewhere in the circulation. Although a myxoma is not malignant in the ordinary sense, its location and potential complications make a cardiac myxoma medically serious. Outside the heart, myxomas can occur in soft tissues and other organs. The word comes from the Greek root for mucus and the suffix meaning swelling or tumour. In general usage, the term is chiefly a clinical one and is less common than the broader words tumour and neoplasm.
nounA benign tumour formed from mucoid connective tissue, typically containing abundant mucin and relatively few blood vessels. Cardiac myxomas are the best-known form and occur most often in the left atrium of the heart.
- A benign tumour arising from connective tissue and composed chiefly of mucoid material.
- A similar tumour-like mass occurring in other organs or tissues.
"An echocardiogram revealed a cardiac myxoma obstructing blood flow through the patient's left atrium."
"The surgeon successfully removed a myxoma from the left atrium of her heart."
"Histological examination of the mass showed that it was a myxoma rather than a malignant neoplasm."
The standard plural is myxomas; myxomata is also encountered in older medical usage but is uncommon in contemporary general English.
"Several myxomas were identified during the scan."
A heart tumour can be made largely of jelly-like tissue, yet it may still travel through the bloodstream and block a vital valve.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does myxoma come from?
The word was formed in medical usage from Greek myxos, meaning mucus, together with the tumour-forming suffix -oma. In modern medical terminology, the name reflects the tumour's mucoid or gelatinous composition. Related technical words such as myxoid and myxomatous use the same Greek root, while myxobacteria refers to organisms traditionally associated with a mucoid growth.
Related word forms
How myxoma is actually used
In medicine, the term is most commonly used for a cardiac myxoma. Although myxomas are benign, those arising in the heart can cause serious obstruction, embolism, or sudden death, so the term should not be interpreted as meaning clinically harmless.
Easily confused with myxoma
A myxoma is a tumour composed of mucoid tissue, whereas myxoedema is the general swelling associated with severe thyroid hormone deficiency.