Primary heart tumours are abnormal heart growths. They are extremely rare. They are found in less than one out of every 2000 autopsies, as per studies suggests.
Primary heart tumours can be noncancerous (benign) or malignant (cancerous) (malignant). Malignant tumours spread to other parts of the body or grow into nearby structures, whereas benign tumours do not. The majority of primary heart tumours are benign, only 25% are cancerous.
Some examples of malignant tumours are:
Sarcomas (tumours that begin in connective tissue, such as heart muscle and fat), including angiosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma
- First-line cardiac lymphoma
- Mesothelioma of the pericardium
- Some examples of benign tumours are:
- Myxoma \Fibroma
- Rhabdomyoma
Secondary heart cancer has spread to the heart from other organs. It occurs up to 40 times more frequently than primary cardiac tumours, but it is still relatively uncommon.
Most cancers that spread or metastasize to the heart are:
- Cancer of the lungs
- Melanoma (skin cancer) (skin cancer)
- Cancer of the breast
- Cancer of the kidney
Lymphoma and Leukemia (this is different than primary cardiac lymphoma in that it starts in the lymph nodes, spleen, or bone marrow instead of the heart)
Heart cancer symptoms
According to the Best Cardiologist Doctor in Max Hospital Delhi Malignant heart tumours grow quickly and invade the heart’s walls and other vital structures. This disrupts the structure and function of the heart, resulting in symptoms. Even benign heart tumours can cause serious problems and symptoms if they press on vital structures or interfere with the heart’s function.
Heart tumour symptoms are caused by their location, size, and structure, not by the type of tumour. As a result, heart tumour symptoms frequently mimic other, more common heart conditions such as heart failure or arrhythmias. An echocardiogram can almost always differentiate cancer from other heart conditions.
Heart cancer causes
The best heart doctor in Max hospital saket are baffled as to why some people develop heart cancer while others do not. Some types of heart tumours have only a few known risk factors:
• Age – Some tumours are more common in adults, while others are more common in babies and children.
• Heredity – A few can be passed down through families.
• Cancer syndromes that are inherited – The majority of children with rhabdomyoma have tubular
sclerosis, a syndrome caused by a change (mutation) in the DNA.
• Immune system dysfunction – Primary cardiac lymphoma is more common in people who have a
weakened immune system.
• Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lining (mesothelium) of the lung, no link has
been established between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma.
Heart cancer diagnosis
Heart tumours can be difficult to diagnose because they are so uncommon and the symptoms are often the same as those of more common heart conditions.
The following tests are commonly used to diagnose heart cancer:
• Echocardiogram – This test uses sound to create a moving image of the heart’s structure and
function. It is the most widely used test for diagnosis, treatment planning, and yearly
monitoring.
• The CT scan – These images may aid in the differentiation of benign and malignant tumours.
• MRI – This scan produces more detailed images of the tumour, which may aid your doctor in
determining its type.
• Because imaging can often determine tumour type, and the biopsy procedure can spread cancer
cells, a tissue sample (biopsy) is usually not obtained.
Heart cancer treatment options
Best heart care hospital in saket Delhi Surgical removal is the treatment of choice for all primary heart tumours, when possible.
Tumors that are benign
The majority of these can be cured if the tumour is completely removed.
When a tumour is very large or multiple tumours are present, removing a portion of it that is not inside the heart walls can improve or eliminate symptoms.
If they are not causing symptoms, some types can be monitored with yearly echocardiograms rather than surgery.
Tumors that are malignant
They can be difficult to treat because they grow quickly and invade vital heart structures.
Unfortunately, most are not discovered until surgical removal is no longer an option.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are occasionally used to try to slow tumour growth and improve symptoms (palliative care), but they are frequently ineffective for primary heart cancer.
Secondary coronary artery cancer
When heart metastases are discovered, the cancer has usually spread to other organs and is incurable.
Heart metastatic disease cannot be surgically removed. If any patient wants to book appointment with the Best Cardiologist in Max Hospital Saket or in Delhi – Dr. Rajiv Agarwal is one of the best Heart Specialist in Delhi with more than 35 years of experience in the field of non-invasive and invasive cardiology can book the appointment through https://www.drrajivagarwal.in