Although it’s rare for a cancer to spread to the heart, some metastatic tumors can reach the organ through the bloodstream or its surrounding tissues. Those tumors in the heart can block blood flow and pose a danger to the patient. But most cancers that develop in or near the heart are benign. Here are some symptoms of cancer near the heart. If you are concerned about a potential heart tumor, read on for more information.
Cardiomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer in the heart. It generally starts in the right atrium, but it can also develop in the left atrium or the lower chambers of the heart. While most heart tumors are benign, the ones that cause trouble for the heart valves are potentially life-threatening. These tumors may also affect nearby soft tissues, including the brain. In addition to blocking blood flow, they may also cause other symptoms, including irregular heartbeat and even death.
While some benign tumors of the heart do not require treatment, some must undergo surgery to remove the disease. Open heart surgery is an option for benign heart tumors. Surgery can sometimes cure the disease if the tumor is small enough. Other treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Treatment for malignant heart tumors depends on whether the tumor is primary or metastatic. Although surgical removal is the most common treatment for primary heart tumors, it can be risky and difficult to complete.
Surgery is an effective way to save time, but it is incomplete. A cure for cancer near the heart must involve a cellular level. Because this type of cancer is so rare, the amount of research and treatment available is small. This is why doctors with extensive experience treating cardiac tumors should be sought out. In the meantime, patients should look for a center that specializes in cardiac tumor surgery. The sooner they get the right treatment, the better.
MRI scans and CT scans can detect cardiac tumours. High-tech scans can also help doctors distinguish between benign and malignant tumors. Electrocardiograms can also detect abnormal heart rhythms. If the EKG shows changes in the heart’s rhythm, then the cancer is likely to be in the heart. In addition to the CT scan, doctors can also perform an echocardiogram to determine whether a tumor is in the heart.
Most cancers that grow near the heart have originated somewhere else in the body. They may have started in the pericardial sac or lungs, and have spread to the heart through the bloodstream. Other cancers that may affect the heart include lung, breast, esophageal, and melanoma. Once established, cancer can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, liver, or lungs. The symptoms of cancer near the heart vary greatly between men and women, and the condition can be fatal.
Cancer near the heart is usually found in the aortic valve, which is the largest part of the heart. This cancer can cause a heart murmur (a noise produced by turbulent blood flow). In addition, a tumour on the tricuspid or mitral valves can also block the heart’s valves, resulting in shortness of breath, shortened breathing, and chest pain. If the tumour is located in the heart itself, it can cause the aortic valve to become stenotic, leading to a stroke.
