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Primary heart tumors are abnormal heart growths. They're really rare. They are identified in less than one out of every 2000 autopsies, according to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
Primary heart tumors can be noncancerous (benign) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumors invade adjacent structures and spread to other parts of the body (metastasize), whereas benign tumors do not. The majority of primary heart tumors are benign. According to the ESC, just 25% are cancerous.
Some types of malignant tumors are:
- Sarcomas (tumors that arise from connective tissue, such as heart muscle and fat), such as angiosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma
- primary cardiac lymphoma
- pericardial mesothelioma
Some types of benign tumors are:
- myxoma
- fibroma
- rhabdomyoma
Secondary heart malignancy has spread to the heart from other organs. It develops up to 40 times more frequently than primary cardiac tumors, according to the ESC, but it is still quite uncommon.
Most cancers that spread or metastasis to the heart are:
- cancer of the lungs
- melanoma (skin cancer)
- breast cancer
- Cancer of the kidney
- leukemia
- cancerous lymphoma
HEART CANCER SYMPTOMS
Malignant heart tumors grow quickly and penetrate the heart's walls and other vital structures. This alters the structure and function of the heart, resulting in symptoms. Even benign heart tumors can create major issues and symptoms if they push on vital structures or interfere with the heart's function.
The symptoms caused by heart tumors are determined by their location, size, and structure, rather than by the type of tumor. As a result, heart tumor symptoms frequently resemble those of other, more prevalent cardiac disorders such as heart failure or arrhythmias. An echocardiography can almost always differentiate cancer from other heart problems.
There are five categories of symptoms associated with primary heart cancer.
1. Obstruction of blood flow: When a tumor spreads into one of the heart chambers or through a heart valve, it might obstruct blood flow. The following symptoms differ depending on the location of the tumor:
- Atrium: A tumor in an upper chamber of the heart can obstruct blood flow into the lower chambers (ventricles), resembling tricuspid or mitral valve stenosis. This may cause you to feel out of breath and weary, especially during strenuous activity.
- Ventricle: A tumor in a ventricle can obstruct blood flow out of the heart, causing symptoms similar to aortic or pulmonary valve stenosis. This might result in chest pain, dizziness and fainting, exhaustion, and shortness of breath.
2. Muscle dysfunction in the heart
When a tumor grows into the heart's muscle walls, they might stiffen and become unable to pump blood effectively, simulating cardiomyopathy or heart failure. Symptoms could include:
- Breathing difficulty
- swollen legs
- discomfort in the chest
- weakness
- fatigue
3. Embolus: A small fragment of a tumor or a blood clot might migrate from the heart to another part of the body and lodge in a small artery. Symptoms will differ depending on where the embolus is located:
- Lung: Shortness of breath, acute chest discomfort, and an erratic heartbeat can all be symptoms of a pulmonary embolism.
- Brain: An embolic stroke frequently results in weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, a one-sided facial droop, difficulty speaking or understanding spoken or written words, and confusion.
- An arm or a leg: A chilly, aching, and pulseless leg may arise from an artery embolism.
4. Problems with conduction: Tumors that grow inside the heart muscle near the conduction system of the heart can influence how quickly and regularly the heart beats, simulating arrhythmias. They frequently obstruct the normal conduction channel between the atria and ventricles. This is known as a heart block. It means that instead of working together, the atria and ventricles separately determine their own rhythm.
Depending on how severe it is, you may not detect it at all, or you may feel as if your heart is skipping beats or beating very slowly. If it becomes too slow, you may faint or become exhausted. If the ventricles begin to beat too quickly on their own, it can result in ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest.
5. Systemic symptoms: A few primary cardiac tumors might produce nonspecific symptoms that resemble an illness. Among these signs are:
- chills and fever
- fatigue
- sweating during night
- slimming down
- joint discomfort
Secondary heart cancer metastatic lesions typically penetrate the lining around the exterior of the heart (pericardium). This frequently results in an accumulation of fluid surrounding the heart, resulting in a malignant pericardial effusion.
As the volume of fluid accumulates, it exerts pressure on the heart, limiting the amount of blood it can pump. Sharp chest pain upon taking a breath and shortness of breath, especially when lying down, are symptoms.
The heart's pressure might become so high that little to no blood is pumped. This potentially fatal disease is known as cardiac tamponade. Arrhythmias, shock, and cardiac arrest can all result.
HEART CANCER CAUSES
Doctors are baffled as to why some people develop heart cancer and others do not. Some forms of cardiac tumors have only a few established risk factors:
- Age: Some tumors are more common in adults, whereas 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 condition caused by a change (mutation) in the DNA.
- Immune system dysfunction: Primary cardiac lymphoma is more common in persons who have a weakened immune system.
Unlike pleural mesothelioma, which arises in the lining (mesothelium) of the lung, no link has been shown between asbestos exposure and pericardial mesothelioma.
HEART CANCER DIAGNOSIS
Heart tumors can be difficult to detect since they are so uncommon and the symptoms are often the same as those of more prevalent heart disorders.
The following tests are often used to diagnose heart cancer:
- Echocardiogram: This test use sound to generate a moving image of the heart's structure and function. It is the most widely used test for diagnosis, treatment planning, and yearly monitoring.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: These photos may aid in the differentiation of benign and malignant cancers.
- MRI: This scan produces more detailed images of the tumor, which may aid your doctor in determining its type.
Because imaging can often establish tumor kind, and the biopsy procedure can spread cancer cells, a tissue sample (biopsy) is usually not taken.
HEART CANCER TREATMENT
Surgical removal is the treatment of choice for all primary cardiac tumors when possible.
Benign tumors
- The majority of these can be treated if the tumor is entirely removed.
- When a tumor is very large or numerous tumors are present, removing a portion of it that isn't inside the heart walls can relieve or eliminate symptoms.
- If they aren't producing symptoms, several types can be monitored with yearly echocardiograms rather than surgery.
- They might be difficult to cure because they develop 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 decrease tumor growth and improve symptoms (palliative care), but they are frequently ineffective for primary heart cancer.
Secondary heart cancer
- When heart metastases are discovered, the cancer has usually spread to other organs and is incurable.
- The heart's metastatic illness cannot be surgically removed.
- Palliative care, which includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy, is often the only option.
- A pericardial effusion can be evacuated by inserting a needle or tiny drain into the fluid collection (pericardiocentesis).
SUMMARY
Primary heart cancer can be benign or malignant, or it might be secondary metastatic. The symptoms vary according to the size and location of the tumor and are similar to typical heart problems.
Malignant primary heart cancer has a terrible prognosis but is relatively uncommon. Benign tumors are more prevalent and can be treated surgically.