Heart tumors: causes, symptoms, and treatment & bull; hello healthy

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Definition

What is a heart tumor?

Heart tumors are abnormal growths on the heart or heart valves. There are different types of heart tumors. However, this condition is usually rare.

Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). Tumors that begin to grow and remain in the heart are called primary tumors. Tumors that appear in other parts of the body and then move to the heart (metastasize) are called secondary tumors.

Most heart tumors are benign. However, this condition can also cause problems due to its size and location. Sometimes, a small part of the tumor can also fall into the bloodstream and be carried into distant blood vessels and into the bloodstream to vital organs (embolism).

How common are heart tumors?

This condition affects women more often than men and can occur in patients of any age. Heart tumors can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a heart tumor?

Often times, patients don't know they have a heart tumor. Tumors are often discovered during an echocardiogram for other reasons. If the tumor has hardened due to calcium buildup (calcification), it can be seen on a chest X-ray. Most primary heart tumors are found when the patient is 50-60 years old. However, this condition can also be found in younger patients.

Patients with cardiac myxoma on the left atrium may show symptoms. This is caused by blockage of blood flow through the mitral valve. Blood flow can be blocked over time, or only when the patient is in a certain physical position (such as lying down). Although many patients do not have any symptoms, if blood flow is blocked and there is increased pressure on the left atrium, this condition can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, or coughing. Inflammation may cause fever, and patients may experience joint pain and discomfort.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes heart tumors?

A small proportion of patients with heart tumors have a family history of this condition as well. Sometimes, the tumor can be part of another health condition, such as NAME syndrome, LAMB syndrome, or Carney syndrome. However, in most cases, tumors can appear without these syndromes or without a family history. Tumors themselves are formed as a result of excess cell growth that appears or moves to the heart.

Triggers

What puts me more at risk of developing a heart tumor?

Heart tumors tend to run in families. People who have malignant tumors in other parts of the body, especially melanoma, breast cancer, or lung cancer are also at increased risk of developing heart tumors. The reason is, tumors from other parts of the body can move or spread to the heart.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How are heart tumors diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects you have a heart tumor, the diagnosis can be confirmed using an echocardiogram, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or radionuclide imaging.

How is a heart tumor treated?

Since heart tumors can cause problems with blood flow, surgical removal of the tumor is usually the treatment option. However, whether surgery is necessary or not depends on the size of the tumor as well as its effect on the patient's overall health.

Removal of the tumor requires open heart surgery. However, in most cases, the surgery can be done robotic or using the least invasive technique (not through open surgery). During surgery, the surgeon removes the tumor and surrounding tissue to reduce the risk of the tumor coming back. Because the surgery is complex and requires a still heart, you will need a heart-lung machine that will act as your heart and lungs during the operation.

Recovery after regular surgery generally lasts 4-5 days in the hospital, and takes 6 weeks for complete recovery. If the tumor is removed using robotic or minimally invasive methods, your stay in the hospital will likely be shorter, and you will fully recover in 2-3 weeks.

After surgery, you will need to have an echocardiogram every year to make sure the tumor doesn't come back and there are no new growths.

Prevention

What can I do independently at home to treat this tumor?

Here are some of the things you can do on your own and at home remedies that help you treat heart tumors.

• Psychological support is very important for malignant tumor (cancer) patients. If the patient is isolated from the environment and has depression, the patient may not respond well to treatment. This can lead to increased health complications and reduced chances of cure. You may be able to join the community survivor cancer or other similar groups to help raise spirits.
• Family support is essential to treat patients effectively. Proper and routine treatment is needed for the most optimal medicinal benefits. The family plays an important role in arranging the test and the next treatment schedule. The family must also help regulate the diet and activities that the patient needs.
• Palliative care is a great form of support against cancer. The main focus of this treatment is to minimize pain from the patient. This type of treatment is suitable for all stages of cancer, regardless of whether or not the cancerous tumor is missing.

If you have any doubts, discuss it with your doctor to find the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.