OBJECTIVE To study the pathological features of dissemination of lymphoma in the heart and understand its influence on cardiac function.METHODS Forty-two patients who died of lymphoma were autoposied and the gross and microscopic pathological changes of the heart observed.RESULTS Eight (19.05%) out of 42 cases had heart dissemination in the pericardium and heart wall. The dissemination features noted were of a nodular type, diffuse type and mixed type, leading to neoplastic myocarditis.CONCLUSION The pathological features of dissemination of lymphoma in the heart are varied, and the different types can produce dissimilar influences in heart function.