If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer near the heart, you should seek medical attention immediately. The heart is a complex organ, and tumors within it are rare but can be dangerous. The symptoms of heart tumors vary, depending on the type of cancer. Symptoms usually indicate the portion of the heart that’s affected. Malignant tumors that originate elsewhere in the body can spread to the heart, blocking blood flow. The good news is that most cases of heart tumors are curable with surgery.
Surgery can remove the tumor, but it’s an invasive procedure that typically takes six hours. Surgeons must carefully cut out the tumor while preserving the vital network surrounding the heart. The goal is to create negative margins so that no cancerous tissue remains, preventing the tumor from re-growing. Currently, only two out of every five patients can achieve this goal. This is because surgeons are hesitant to damage the heart.
Surgery to remove the tumor is the only way to treat primary heart cancer. However, if it spreads beyond the heart, surgery may no longer be an option. Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, may affect the heart. Chemotherapy drugs can slow tumor growth, and radiation therapy may improve symptoms. Sometimes, palliative care will be used, which helps patients cope with the symptoms while they wait for a cure. A doctor may also prescribe medications to help with the symptoms of heart cancer.
Imaging tests for cancer near the heart are crucial for determining whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. High-tech scans can detect early signs of cancer and help doctors make a treatment plan. In some cases, patients may undergo multiple imaging tests to determine the extent of the disease. A biopsy is also recommended for more detailed diagnosis. And, when a cancer is detected early enough, surgery can be the treatment of choice.
Most heart tumors are benign, but some are malignant. In addition to benign myxomas, angiosarcomas are the most common type of adult heart cancer. These tumors begin in the lining of blood vessels. When they grow, these cancerous cells multiply, forming irregular blood vessel-like masses. These mass can bulge into the heart’s atrium and spread to other structures. This is when a person may need to seek medical attention.
The symptoms of cancer near the heart depend on where it’s located. For example, one might experience a sudden, severe chest pain, or shortness of breath. In more severe cases, the tumour may block the blood flow, causing a collection of fluid around the heart. If not detected early, it could lead to an embolism, which can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. If left untreated, the tumour can cause death.
Patients with cancer near the heart can undergo several treatments to relieve symptoms. Surgery is the most common treatment, and if the cancer has spread to the lungs, doctors can perform a surgical procedure. A small incision is made in the chest wall to insert the pericardioscopy tube. Then, a special laser light is directed toward the tumor. Once the laser activates the drug, the cancer cells die. The procedure is repeated as necessary.
