They constitute a very small percentage of detected neoplastic changes. Most often, heart tumors are the result of metastasis from other organs, sometimes even distant.
Heart neoplasms are divided into two main groups – primary and secondary neoplasms. The former are very rarely recognized. Medical statistics say about 3 cases per 100. autopsy. Primary neoplasms in most cases they are benign lesions. The primary benign heart tumors include myxomas, fibroids, lipomas and rhabdomyomas.
A snail it is the most common primary cancer that develops in the heart of adults. Most often it is located in the atria of the heart. It is usually a single tumor up to 4 centimeters in diameter. About 10 percent. cases of this neoplasm are multiple myxomas. Which develop with Carney syndrome, which is classified as a hereditary disease.
Symptoms of developing cancer may include shortness of breath, frequent fainting and palpitations. Patients also have leukocytosis, increased ESR, joint pain, fever and unjustified weight loss.
Fibroma is usually detected by accident during an autopsy. The tumor occupies the ventricular surface of the crescent-shaped valves and the atrial valves of the venous outlets. The symptoms of fibroma are nonspecific.
Lipoma it develops in the left ventricle, right atrium, or atrial septum – then it is called fatty hyperplasia. A symptom of lipoma may be arrhythmia and – if this is the tumor location – disturbances in the work of the heart valves.
Rhabdomyosarcoma it grows to a few centimeters in diameter and is usually found in infants. It can develop anywhere in the heart. Cardiac symptoms are associated with impaired blood flow inside the heart.
Malignant neoplasms of the heart include rhabdomyosarcomas, angiosarcomas and lymphomas.
Sarcomas account for about 80 percent. malignant tumors of the heart. It is commonly believed that the intracardiac tumor found in AIDS patients is lymphoma.
Secondary neoplasms are usually metastatic lesions. In 5 percent people who have died from cancer have tumors in their hearts. Neoplastic metastases in the heart most often originate from tumors of the lung (40-60%), breast (11%), cardiovascular (10-11%), cells covering the serous membranes (9%), esophagus (5%). ), stomach, pancreas, kidneys, skin (3% each), liver, ovary, prostate, colon (1% each).
The metastases that spread through the lymphatic vessels are most often located in the pericardium and epicardial layer. The ones that spread with the blood attack the heart muscle. Direct infiltration manifests as an intracardiac tumor.
Symptoms of heart tumors
They can be very different and not be associated with heart damage. Usually, however, the symptoms of heart tumors are similar to those of a benign heart disease. The usual symptoms are chest pain, irregular heart beat, shortness of breath and fatigue, as well as blood-tinged cough and increased temperature. Less common symptoms include weight loss, skin changes, swelling of the ankles and feet, severe shortness of breath, and palpitations.
Testing for heart tumors should be considered in the presence of unexplained heart failure, frequent syncope, embolism or a family history of such conditions.
The time of heart cancer detection determines the patient’s prognosis. Therefore, if the symptoms mentioned above appear, do not delay the visit to the doctor. You can go to the primary care physician to refer you to an appropriate specialist.
Diagnosing heart cancer
Imaging techniques, such as echocardiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance, are of major importance in their diagnosis. The echo of the heart helps to determine the size and location of the tumor. The transesophageal echo is used to identify changes in the atrial septum, pulmonary veins and the superior vena cava. Tomography and magnetic resonance imaging allow to assess the degree of neoplastic changes and the location of the tumor. Computed tomography better shows calcifications within the tumor itself, while magnetic resonance imaging gives a better assessment of infiltrating tumors. it is indicated in the case of heart invasive tumors.
Treatment of heart tumors
Therapy depends on the type and location of the neoplastic changes in the heart.
Benign heart tumors are treated surgically. Most tumors are completely removed. If there is a need to remove other heart structures during the procedure, it is necessary to insert prostheses, e.g. artificial valves. Sometimes patients are also implanted with pacemakers. In the case of myxoma, which is prone to recurrence, it may be necessary to repeat the operation. If it is not possible, the patient is given anticoagulants to avoid blockages.
Some heart tumors (sarcomas) are treated with chemotherapy, others (e.g. mesothelioma, lymphoma) are treated with radio- and chemotherapy. The presence of heart metastases always indicates the incurability of the underlying neoplastic disease. Sometimes, when the tumor in the heart is a single metastasis, embolization can be used, i.e. depriving the tumor of the blood vessels that nourish it. Cardiac treatment is possible when the tumor is a single lesion in the heart, when there is a risk of haemodynamic disturbances and when the primary tumor is no longer present.
Sometimes only symptomatic and palliative treatment is possible, the aim of which is to improve the patient’s quality of life.
Unfortunately, the prognosis for heart cancer patients is poor, but many patients are taking part in clinical trials of new drugs to fight this type of cancer. Thanks to participation in new forms of therapy, patients have an extended life for the next years. Without such treatment, they die, usually within a year of being diagnosed with heart cancer.
Tekst: Anna Jarosz
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