Most are benign, but some can develop malignant properties. In adults, the most common types of heart tumors are angiosarcomas, which originate from cells that line the blood vessels. These cancerous cells multiply to form irregular masses, which may bulge into the heart’s atrium or spread to adjacent organs. A diagnosis of cancer near the heart can be difficult.
Symptoms of cancer near the heart vary according to the type of tumor, but they can be similar to those of heart failure. Some tumour pieces can block blood vessels near the heart, causing an embolism. When these embolisms travel to the brain, they can cause a stroke. Therefore, it’s important to seek medical attention if you develop any of these symptoms. Cancers near the heart may cause the heart to fail, causing the person to experience sudden unexplained chest pain and shortness of breath.
Treatment for cancer near the heart is complicated. Surgery to remove the tumor often requires open-heart surgery, which is not easy due to the tumor’s location. In some cases, the tumor has already invaded the heart to the extent that surgery is impossible. In such cases, a heart transplant is necessary. Depending on the extent of the sarcoma, patients may need to take immunosuppressive medication. But this medication can cause side effects, as it might stimulate new sarcoma growth.
Surgical removal is usually the best treatment for a primary heart tumor. Although it’s very rare for heart tumors to develop malignant forms, removing part of a tumor outside of the heart’s walls can help improve the symptoms. Surgery may not always be possible, but it can help patients live a more normal life. Even if the heart tumor has grown in size, yearly echocardiograms may be needed to monitor its progression.
Cancers near the heart usually originate in other parts of the body. Cancer in the heart can start elsewhere and spread through the bloodstream. It is more common to develop in the lining of an organ, such as the colon or pancreas, where cancer cells can multiply more quickly. Most heart tumors are curable with surgery. There are a number of risk factors associated with heart cancer, but these are rare. It’s important to have your doctor review your health history to determine if this is an appropriate treatment option.
Primary cardiac tumors are an uncommon occurrence, but they can be lethal for young patients. A comprehensive evaluation by an experienced center is essential to ensure the proper diagnosis and treatment. In case of primary cardiac tumors, early surgical intervention is highly recommended. Treatment of cancers near the heart may also include systemic chemotherapy. If surgical intervention is not possible, advanced imaging is essential. The sooner treatment is begun, the better the patient’s chance of survival.
While cancers near the heart are rare, the incidence may increase in the future due to improved survival in patients with other types of cancers. In addition to surgery, patients may also need to undergo pericardiocentesis to remove any excess fluid that may be leaking out of the heart. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be used to shrink the tumor or alleviate the symptoms. Once the cancer has spread, treatment will depend on its underlying cause.
