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When malignant cells grow uncontrollably on or near the heart, heart cancer may become imminent. Such cells often form a tumor in the heart. However, primary heart cancer–or cancer that origins in the heart is sporadic. In most cases, cancers that originate in other organs near the heart, such as the lungs and esophagus, spread to the heart, or cancers spread from other organs such as kidneys to the heart via the bloodstream (leukemia). Such cases of heart cancer come via another organ and are called secondary heart cancer.
Lungs, Esophagus
You must note that less than 2 out of 100,000 people are prone to heart cancer. Also, 80% of cardiac tumors are benign (non-cancerous). So, there are two types of heart cancer: malignant and benign.
Sarcoma is the most common form of malignant heart cancer. Cardiac angiosarcoma constitutes almost 40% of cardiac sarcomas. This form of sarcoma proliferates and has a scope of spreading to other parts of the body.
Rhabdomyosarcoma occurs in the left atrium and ventricles. This form of cancer can spread in the heart chambers and eventually block the flow of blood into the heart.
Other types of sarcoma are:
Primary lymphoma is a scarce type of heart cancer; it affects people with low immunity, like HIV-positive patients.
Some of the causes of heart cancer are as follows:
The most common sign of heart cancer is a medically inexplicable and sudden cardiac failure. In addition, as the growing tumor starts pressing the heart valve, one may face shortness of breath accompanied by extreme fatigue.
Apart from the above, other symptoms of heart cancer are:
For malignant heart cancer, the rate of survival is not encouraging. The following figures may help in explaining the statement made:
A patient diagnosed with malignant heart cancer survives up to 26.2 months on a broad scale. In the case of benign cardiac tumors, the survival rate is much better. The average survival rate is 187.2 months.
Depending on the type of heart cancer, it is found in all ages in the human body. Though most commonly found in older adults, children are also prone to this ailment.
Other risk factors are:
Scientists believe that certain people are predisposed to primary heart cancer due to their DNA, but the genetic basis of most cancers is still unknown.
Doctors diagnose heart cancer by enquiring about the patient’s medical history, signs, symptoms, and physical examination, followed by imaging tests. Cardio Oncologists specialize in treating heart cancers.
The tests commonly used to diagnose heart cancer are as under:
Apart from the above, the doctor often advises chest X-Ray and cardiac catheterization tests for a more accurate diagnosis of heart cancer.
For benign heart cancer:
For malignant heart cancer:
Unfortunately, most of this type of cancer is detected after it has passed the removal stage. Also, cancer often spreads to other parts of the body (metastases). Therefore, chemotherapy and radiation therapy remain the only option to reduce the cancer rate inside the body. If doctors notice pericardial effusion (fluid buildup), they may remove it by placing a needle.
There are a few common drugs doctors prescribe to treat heart cancer patients. The common drugs that are prescribed are as under:
Nanavati Max Hospital is home to 350+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Nanavati Max Hospital is home to 350+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
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