Treatment options for this condition include surgery, chemotherapy, and immunosuppression, but the outlook is poor. Cancers that spread to the heart are known as metastases and tend to have a poor prognosis. Treatment options vary considerably, but the first step is often an operation. However, the prognosis is good if treatment is done early enough.
Although symptoms of cancer near the heart depend on its location, many people with this disease have similar symptoms to those of heart failure. Small tumour pieces, called embolisms, can clump together and block blood vessels near the heart. These clots can travel to the brain, resulting in stroke. As a result, treatment for cancer near the heart should be swift. To prevent the spread of this cancer, it is important to understand the causes and symptoms of the condition.
A cancer near the heart can have several types. While benign heart tumours are uncommon, they are still dangerous. A benign heart tumor doesn’t spread, but it can be large and block part of the heart. The tumor may also be difficult to remove. The most common benign heart tumour is called atrial myxoma, while fibromas and lipomas are other types of heart tumors. These types of tumours are most often found in children and adults. Most cases of these types of tumour are sporadic; however, familial cases have been reported.
Primary cardiac tumors are very rare. The most common are benign myxomas and angiosarcomas, which develop from cells that line the blood vessels. They multiply and form irregular masses, bulging into the atrium. They may also spread to nearby structures. In the worst case, angiosarcomas can be deadly. The treatment options for both these types of cancers are similar. These tumors can be dangerous and life-threatening, so it is important to know more about the causes of cancer near the heart.
Patients with a heart tumor may undergo a variety of diagnostic tests. An echocardiogram, for example, is often used to help distinguish between benign and malignant heart tumors. An MRI, on the other hand, provides a detailed image of the tumor. MRIs are particularly helpful in determining the type of tumor. However, the biopsy is not a cure for cardiac sarcoma, so the treatment options will depend on where the tumor is located and how far it has spread.
Although the chances of developing a heart tumor are extremely low, the incidence of this form of cancer may increase as the survival of oncological patients increases. Awareness of this cancer is essential for timely treatment. It can start in any organ of the body and travel to the heart. The most common type of primary heart cancers is a sarcoma, which starts in the soft tissues of the body. The remaining type of heart tumors are predominantly lymphomas and mesotheliomas.
