Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD), is a term that rarely refers to cancer. It generally refers to coronary artery disease, heart attacks, arrhythmias, or cardiac defects. Cancer can affect almost any organ in the body, although it rarely directly affects the heart.
Cancer that originates in the heart's cells is known as heart cancer. Another name for it is primary cardiac cancer. It is extremely uncommon. It is far more common for cancer to begin elsewhere in the body and then spread to the heart.
Sarcomas account for 75% of primary cardiac cancer cases. This may be referred to as primary cardiac sarcoma. Cancers known as sarcomas originate in the body's soft tissues, which include the muscles, tendons, blood vessels, and nerves. Most of the remaining heart cancers are mesotheliomas and lymphomas.
What is Heart Cancer?
Heart cancer is characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled proliferation of heart cells, resulting in formation of a tumor. This kind of cancer which starts in the heart is called primary heart cancer. This type of heart cancer occurs very rarely. The most common way that heart cancer develops is when cancer cells from another organ nearby spread to the heart. One possible outcome of lung cancer metastasis is the development of secondary heart cancer. Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread from other organs to the heart.Why is Heart Cancer Rare?
Because the muscle and connective tissue that make up the heart do not divide quickly, they are highly resistant to developing cancer. In epithelial tissue that tends to turnover more quickly, cancer cells proliferate and grow more rapidly. This makes the tissue more vulnerable to mutations, or defects in replication, which can result in cancer. Most organs are lined by epithelial tissue. This tissue is also found in the breasts. Because of this, tissue in the breasts and organs like the colon, pancreas, lungs, and skin are more frequently affected by cancer.What are Heart Cancer Symptoms?
The most common sign of heart cancer is sudden unexplained heart failure. If the tumor is pressing on a heart chamber or growing inside the heart and impairing valve function, you may feel very exhausted and have shortness of breath. Additional signs of cardiac cancer are:- Arrhythmia rapid or slow heart rate
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Long-term back pain
- Confusion
- Memory disorders
- Coughing up blood
Heart Cancer Causes
In adults, angiosarcoma, a rare kind of malignant (cancerous) soft tissue tumor, is the primary cause of nine out of ten heart cancer cases. Angiosarcoma's etiology is unknown, however certain toxins and radiation may be involved. The heart and major blood vessels (aorta, pulmonary arteries) may also be affected by other subtypes of sarcoma cancerous tumors. Compared to cancer that starts in the heart, secondary heart cancer is 30–40 times more common. Skin, lungs, and kidneys are among the organs where metastatic cancer can spread to and eventually reach the heart. Cancers of the thymus gland, located in the chest, as well as blood (leukemia) and lymphatic system (lymphoma) can also spread to it.How to Prevent Heart Cancer?
Following are the ways by which you can prevent heart cancer:- Quit tobacco as well avoid secondhand smoke
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Exercise regularly
- Consume a balanced diet low in unhealthy fats, red or processed meat, and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Undergo screenings for heart disease risk factors and specific cancers
What are the Complications of Heart Cancer?
How is Heart Cancer Diagnosed?
Heart cancer can be diagnosed in following manner:- Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
- Heart MRI
- Cardiac CT scan
- Chest x-ray
- Cardiac catheterization
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Holter monitor
What is Heart Cancer Treatment?
An enlarged heart tumor may occasionally shrink and its symptoms subside with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of the two. Your doctor will treat the primary cancer if it is a secondary heart cancer. Additional treatment options are dependent upon the size and location of the tumor in addition to general health and age. Surgery can be done to remove the tumor entirely and is generally done to extend life. These procedures are best carried out at a specialty center due to their complexity.Conclusion
Doctors may misdiagnose the cause of heart problems because heart cancer is so uncommon. To identify a heart tumor, specific diagnostic tests may be necessary. Your doctor will first treat that cancer which has spread to the heart in case of secondary cancer. Heart tumors can be reduced in size or removed, and their symptoms can be relieved, with standard cancer treatments including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. But still, researchers are looking into more effective treatments for this rare illness. If you experience any unusual symptom associated with the heart, then don’t ignore your symptoms. Book your consultation at Asian Heart Institute for best heart care.FAQs
Q1: Is it possible to survive cardiac cancer?A: After being diagnosed with heart cancer, the average patient's life expectancy is approximately six months if no surgical treatment is received, and more than a year if surgery is an option. However, there have been cases where patients have survived for several years following a full tumor resection.
Q2: Why does heart cancer not happen often?
A: Cancer is less likely to develop in the heart because heart cells do not divide and multiply like cells do in other organs. It is highly likely that a cancer that was identified in the heart spread from another part of the body.
Q3: How is this type of cancer diagnosed?
A: Generally, an MRI, CT scan, or echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) performed for a different purpose often results in the unintentional discovery of cardiac tumors.
