Overview

The heart, a vital organ, pumps blood to sustain the body. A cardiac tumour is an abnormal growth that can hinder heart function. It can disrupt blood flow, cause irregular heart rhythms, or obstruct valves and chambers. Tumours can be benign or malignant, impacting heart efficiency, and leading to symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial to manage cardiac tumours and preserve heart health.

Types of Cardiac Tumours

- The cardiac tumour is divided into Primary Heart and Metastatic Heart tumours. Both forms have their own symptoms and treatment steps.
- Primary Heart Tumour- It is a form in which cancer growth begins in the heart itself. It is a rare form of disease and is formed in about 0.001% of patients.

Primary Heart tumour is further divided into different types:

Myxoma is a common form of the disease and is usually responsible for 50% of cases. The condition is generally found in the left atrium of the heart. The form can be treated with the help of surgery to avoid the spreading of cancerous cells.
Papillary fibroelastoma is the second most common form of the disease. It can be found in patients of any age group, but older people are at a higher risk of this disease. The disease usually grows on the aortic or mitral heart valve. The form of heart disease can be treated with the help of surgery or other required treatment.
Lipoma is another form of noncancerous growth in the heart. The tumour varies in size and shape depending on the severity of the patient. The cancer can be found in patients of any age group and can be removed with the help of surgery. Lipoma usually is located in the left ventricle and right atrium.
Hemangioma is a noncancerous growth found in patients suffering from the disease in any age group. The condition usually does not have any symptoms. Tests and different medical examinations help identify the disease stage.

Metastatic Heart tumour- Also known as a malignant tumour, a metastatic cardiac tumour is a tumour that develops in the tissues nearby the heart and affects other parts of the body. If the condition is not treated correctly, it may damage other body parts quickly.

Metastatic Heart tumour is further divided into different types:

- Sarcoma- It is one of the forms of cancerous tumour growth. The form is usually found in 50% to 70% of the cases. It is located in the connecting tissues, such as heart muscles and fat. The condition can be treated with the help of surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy.
- Primary Cardiac Lymphoma is a rare form of heart tumour affecting the heart's right atrium and right ventricle. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma is a common form of this type of cancerous growth.

Symptoms of Cardiac tumour

- Chest Pain- Chest pain is one of the primary symptoms of Cardiac tumour. It happens due to a blockage in the blood vessel leading to improper blood flow. The affected individual feels chest pain, dizziness, or heavy breathing while performing tedious activities.
- Heart Palpitations- The growth of cancerous or noncancerous tumours in the heart blocks blood flow in heart valves. It may lead to arrhythmia, causing heart palpitation or faster heartbeats. A doctor should immediately diagnose the condition to avoid worsening the health situation.
- Loss of Appetite- Another symptom of heart cancer is a lack of appetite. It happens as the affected individual's body cannot utilise energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate. The affected individual doesn't feel the urge to eat and feels weak even to perform routine activities.
- Fatigue- Unexplained tiredness and weakness.
- Swelling- The affected person may notice swelling in the legs, abdomen, or other areas.
- Cough- Persistent cough, sometimes with blood.
- Embolic Events- Blood clots breaking off from the tumour and causing strokes or other issues.

Treatment of Cardiac tumour

- Surgery- Surgery helps in the removal of small tumours. Large tumours are risky to remove. If the large tumours cause an issue in heart functioning, surgery and reconstructive surgery may be required for a safe procedure. A professional and experienced heart surgeon performs the surgery.
- Radiation Therapy- The method involves using high radiation beams to kill cancerous growth and cease the worsening of the development of damaging cells.
- Chemotherapy- The method involves using drugs to kill the root of the cancerous cells and slow down their multiplication. Depending upon the patient's condition, different types of medications help heal the situation.
- Heart Transplant- In some cases, a heart transplant might be necessary if the tumour significantly impairs heart function.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert cardiology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Cardiac tumour is heart cancer found in different types. The type of tumour to identify depends upon the symptoms of the disease. The disease can be cured with the help of different kinds of surgeries and therapies.

Reference Links

- https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/cardiac-arrest-vs-heart-attack-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22914-cardiac-tumour