ObjectiveTo investigate clinical characteristics of patients with malignant cardiac tumors, and summarize our diagnostic methods and surgical treatment experience. MethodsClinical data of 16 patients with mali-gnant cardiac tumors who were admitted to Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between January 2005 and February 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 male and 8 female patients with their age of 35-64 (47.8±10.9) years and disease duration of 15 days to 48 months (11.8±10.9) months. Among the 16 patients, 13 patients underwent tumor resection under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), including 1 patient who received complete resection of the tumor and pedicle surrounding tissue and other 12 patients who only received partial tumor resection. One patient underwent concomitant tricuspid valve replacement. ResultsAll the operations were performed successfully. One patient died of low cardiac output syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on the 6th postoperative day. All the other patients were successfully discharged. Average operation time was 181.2±59.5 minutes, average CPB time was 68.8±20.8 minutes, and average length of hospital stay was 20.4±7.4 days. Postoperative pathological examination showed primary cardiac malignant tumors in 9 patients, metastatic malignant tumors in 6 patients, and benign tumor with malignant growth in 1 patient. Three patients were followed up for a short time (≥3 months) and were still alive. Nine patients died in 1-14 months after discharge. One patient with benign cardiac tumor but malignant growth was still alive. ConclusionMalignant cardiac tumors are rare but highly malignant with a high rate of misdiagnosis. Surgical outcomes are comparatively satisfactory, but these patients' prognosis is usually poor.