Cancers that have spread to the heart or pericardial sac have several causes, but the most common is a noncancerous tumor called a myxoma. It begins somewhere else in the body, usually in the lung or esophagus, and spreads through the bloodstream to the heart. Other types of cancers that affect the heart include lung, breast, esophageal, and melanoma.
Heart tumors may cause one or more of the following symptoms: chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, and sweating. They may also result in an abnormal collection of fluid in the outer layer of the heart. Malignant heart tumours may interfere with blood flow to the rest of the body and cause breathlessness and arrhythmias. Sudden death from heart tumors is another potential symptom. Some patients may experience both symptoms.
Although the cause of heart cancer is unknown, it occurs when changes occur in cells that cause uncontrollable growth and altered function. Cancer can develop in any heart cell. Since there are no known risk factors, treatments for heart cancer focus on improving quality of life and managing symptoms. In the long run, patients hope to be free of the disease, undergoing complete remission. Although this is not always possible, it is possible to achieve a complete remission.
Imaging tests are essential in detecting heart tumors. Depending on the location of the tumor, ultrasound images may be used to determine whether it is cancerous or benign. Diagnostic tests include CT scans and echocardiograms, which show the structure of the heart. To determine whether the tumor is cancerous, a biopsy is usually performed. Depending on the location of the tumor, this procedure may be too risky. However, it is important to know that the pathology of a tumor will help doctors decide on the treatment course.
Hemangiosarcomas are a type of cancer that arises from the blood vessels near the heart. These tumors can grow to an unsustainable size and cause life-threatening internal bleeding. Symptoms of hemangiosarcomas relate to how the tumor is interfering with the function of the heart. They may also cause irregular heart rhythm and cause the pericardial sac to fill with fluid, putting restrictive pressure on the heart.
While primary cancers of the heart start in the heart, metastatic tumors that have spread to the heart often come from another part of the body and have spread there. These types of cancer are rare and occur in just two or three people in a million each year. In fact, most primary heart cancers are benign, and eight percent of heart tumors are benign. However, cancers of the heart occur in men more often than in women.
Secondary cardiac tumors are rare but could occur in the heart. Though rare, they are increasing in incidence due to improved survival of cancer patients. It is important to recognize the symptoms early to detect the tumors in its initial stages. Many of these tumors have no symptoms or even a small amount of cardiac involvement, and they may remain undetected until many years after the initial cancer diagnosis. If you think you may have cancer near the heart, talk to your doctor about your medical history.
