Fibromas, a type of primary tumor that forms from the heart’s fibrous tissue, are usually benign. Other types of tumors in the heart can be cancerous, though they are uncommon. Sarcomas, which develop in the right or left atrium, are more aggressive types of cancer that can block the heart and spread throughout the body.
Diagnostic imaging techniques that may help identify a heart tumor include positron emission tomography CT and magnetic resonance tomography (MRI). Both provide detailed information about a patient’s cancer and the surrounding structures. Imaging methods such as MRI and CT are also used to help determine the size, location, and morphology of a tumor. They also allow physicians to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Primary heart cancers begin in the heart and grow there. Metastatic heart tumors originate in another organ and spread to the heart. Metastatic cancers in the heart are much more common. While these tumors are rare, they do happen. According to the American Cancer Society, about ten percent of cases of soft tissue cancer are found in the heart. If your heart is infected with cancer, the treatment process may include surgery or chemotherapy to treat the disease.
Non-malignant heart tumors may be benign. Myxomas develop in the left upper chamber and may arise from embryonic cells in the heart’s inner layer. Rhabdomyomas, the most common primary heart tumors in children, form irregular blood vessel-like masses that grow inside the heart wall. They may eventually bulge into the atrium or spread to nearby structures. It is important to seek medical attention for these tumors as they can become very deadly.
Although rare, these tumors can mimic symptoms of heart diseases. Patients may experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or esophageal or pulmonary stenosis. They may also experience chest pain and dizziness. If cancer has spread to the heart valves, these may also lead to heart failure. If the tumor is pressing on the heart valves, blood may not flow normally, which can result in heart failure and death. Some types of cancer near the heart may also affect the electrical system of the heart.
Although metastatic cardiac tumors are rare, increased longevity among cancer patients may increase the incidence of these cases. Detection of these tumors is difficult unless it is identified early. The disease may be silent until years after the initial cancer diagnosis. Surgical treatment is the treatment of choice for patients with a good prognosis. Additionally, surgery should be used as a last resort when there are no other treatment options. This treatment option requires adjuvant radiotherapy.
