Here are some of the symptoms of cancer near the heart. These symptoms may be signs of a larger problem. If cancer is found close to the heart, the patient may require surgery.
X-rays, CT scans, and echocardiograms are often used to diagnose cardiac tumours. These imaging tests provide doctors with detailed images of the heart. A biopsy may also be performed in the case of a cardiac tumour. This test can help the doctor distinguish between a benign and a malignant heart tumor. The biopsy may also be risky, depending on the location of the tumor. However, the tumor’s size and the extent of metastasis may help doctors make the right diagnosis.
Other symptoms of cancer near the heart include irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. If not detected early, the condition may lead to heart failure. Although the chances of developing cardiac tumors are small, spotting them early is critical to survival. Emily McGrath, senior cardiac nurse at The University of Edinburgh, explains the symptoms of cardiac tumours. This disease is highly treatable. If you suspect the onset of any of the following symptoms, consult your physician as soon as possible.
Most cancers found near the heart originate elsewhere in the body. Usually, they develop in the epithelial tissue that lines many organs. Other types of cancer may also spread near the heart. Most of the time, however, cancer near the heart is curable through surgery. In addition to the symptoms above, the treatment will depend on the cause of the cancer. Many types of cancer near the heart are curable, and the risk of recurrence is relatively low.
The most common type of cancer near the heart is angiosarcoma, or cancer that forms blood vessels. Most cardiac tumours are benign, but approximately 10 percent are malignant. Angiosarcomas are a particularly aggressive type of cancer that starts in the right atrium. The tumor will impede blood flow, causing swelling of the legs and ankles, as well as distension in the neck veins.
Treatment for cancer near the heart depends on the location of the tumor and its stage. Most malignant tumors are metastases of cancers of other organs, and have a poor prognosis. The treatment of pericardial effusion, which causes fluid to build up around the heart, may include chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Treatment for secondary heart cancer may involve the removal of a pericardial effusion or other treatments.
If a cancer near the heart is detected in its early stages, surgical removal of the tumor will cure it. While surgical removal of the tumor is not always possible, removing the part of it outside the heart walls may improve symptoms. Some patients can have yearly echocardiograms to monitor the condition and monitor its progress. However, this treatment is not as effective as it could be if the cancer has spread. In addition, most malignant heart tumors do not produce symptoms until they have spread and damaged the heart.
