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Everything You Need to Know About Heart Cancer

Empower yourself with comprehensive knowledge about heart cancer, its rarity, and available treatment options.

  • 13 Sep 2023
  • 5 min read
  • 1691 views

In the realm of medical anomalies, heart cancer stands as a rarity that needs everyone’s attention. Understanding its nuances is crucial for early detection and effective management. This blog delves into the depths of heart cancer -- from its causes to its methods of diagnosis.

What is heart cancer?

Heart cancer is scientifically known as a malignant primary cardiac tumour. It is a rare form of cancer originating within the heart's soft tissues. Malignant heart tumours can either be sarcomas, originating in the heart's connective tissue, or other types like primary cardiac lymphoma and pericardial mesothelioma. Due to its rarity and complex symptoms, heart cancer demands heightened awareness and a comprehensive understanding of early detection and effective management.

Symptoms of heart cancer

Recognising heart cancer symptoms can be challenging, primarily due to its rarity and manifestations that often mimic those of more common heart conditions. The symptoms are influenced by various factors, including the tumour's size, location, and impact on the heart's structure and function.

Malignant heart tumours, originating from the heart or spreading to it from other organs, can cause many distressing symptoms. As these tumours grow, they can invade vital heart structures, disrupt blood flow, and impair cardiac function.

Blood flow obstruction is one of the main symptoms associated with heart cancer. Tumours that grow within heart chambers or affect heart valves can obstruct blood flow. It can result in shortness of breath during physical exertion. Depending on the specific location, it can mimic conditions like valve stenosis, causing symptoms such as chest pain and dizziness.

Another symptom is heart muscle dysfunction. When tumours infiltrate the heart's muscular walls, they can compromise its ability to pump blood effectively. It can result in shortness of breath, swollen legs, chest pain, weakness, and fatigue, resembling heart failure or cardiomyopathy.

Problems with the conduction system, the network cells and signals that maintain your beating heart are also signs of heart cancer. Tumours in the heart muscle near the conduction system can disrupt the heart's rhythm. It can lead to irregular heartbeats, palpitations, and even fainting spells. Severe cases can cause heart block, where the atria and ventricles beat independently.

Embolus formation is another sign in which tumour fragments or blood clots from the heart travel to other body parts and block blood vessels. Depending on the location of the embolus, this can cause symptoms like chest pain, limb pain, or even stroke-like symptoms.

Some heart tumours may produce symptoms similar to infections, such as fever, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, and joint pain.

Given the complexity of heart cancer symptoms and the need for precise diagnosis, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional if you experience any unusual cardiac symptoms. Early detection and proper management are vital to improving outcomes and effective treatment.

Causes of heart cancer

When it comes to understanding what causes heart cancer, doctors believe it is sporadic, making it challenging to conduct extensive research into its origins. However, certain risk factors have been associated with the development of cardiac tumours.

Age appears to play a role, as certain tumours are more prevalent in specific age groups. Additionally, hereditary factors can contribute to cancer, with a few types of heart tumours showing a propensity to run in families. Genetic cancer syndromes, characterised by mutations in DNA, have been linked to certain types of cardiac tumours, particularly in children.

While some connections have been made between damaged immune systems and specific types of cardiac cancer, a comprehensive understanding of the causative factors is still under exploration. Continued research is essential to unravel the complexities surrounding heart cancer's origins and develop effective preventive measures and treatments.

What are the risk factors for heart cancer?

Though anybody can be diagnosed with heart cancer, the following people are more likely than others to be diagnosed with this ailment:

  • Heavy smokers, or those who have been smoking for a long time
  • People diagnosed with AIDS.
  • People assigned male at birth (AMAB)
  • People assigned female at birth (AFAB)
  • People aged 50 and above
  • Existing family history of cardiac ailments
  • People diagnosed with tuberculosis, Gorlin Syndrome, or Carney Complex
  • Specific gene mutations (including MDM2, PDGFRA, CDKN2A

What are the complications of heart cancer?

Since heart cancers can affect the normal functioning of the heart, this can give rise to some serious complications like:

  • Stroke, heart attacks or complete failure of the heart
  • Severe respiratory problems when blood clots are formed in the lungs, leading to a condition known as pulmonary embolism
  • Hampering the functioning of heart valves
  • Irregularities in the heart rhythm
  • Inflammation in the pericardium (a protective sac covering your heart)

How is heart cancer diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose heart cancer using a combination of medical assessments and imaging techniques. Due to the overlap of symptoms with other heart conditions, accurate diagnosis can be challenging. Common diagnostic tools include:

  • Echocardiogram: This non-invasive test employs sound waves to create images of the heart's structure and function, aiding in identifying tumours and assessing their impact.
  • CT Scan: Computed tomography scans provide detailed cross-sectional images, helping differentiate between benign and malignant tumours.
  • MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging offers enhanced visualisations of tumours, assisting in determining their type and characteristics.

In many cases, a tissue biopsy may not be necessary, as advanced imaging techniques can often ascertain tumour type.

Also read:

What are the risk factors for heart cancer?

Though anybody can be diagnosed with heart cancer, the following people are more likely than others to be diagnosed with this ailment:

  • Heavy smokers, or those who have been smoking for a long time
  • People diagnosed with AIDS.
  • People assigned male at birth (AMAB)
  • People assigned female at birth (AFAB)
  • People aged 50 and above
  • Existing family history of cardiac ailments
  • People diagnosed with tuberculosis, Gorlin Syndrome, or Carney Complex
  • Specific gene mutations (including MDM2, PDGFRA, CDKN2A

What are the complications of heart cancer?

Since heart cancers can affect the normal functioning of the heart, this can give rise to some serious complications like:

  • Stroke, heart attacks or complete failure of the heart
  • Severe respiratory problems when blood clots are formed in the lungs, leading to a condition known as pulmonary embolism
  • Hampering the functioning of heart valves
  • Irregularities in the heart rhythm
  • Inflammation in the pericardium (a protective sac covering your heart)

How is heart cancer diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose heart cancer using a combination of medical assessments and imaging techniques. Due to the overlap of symptoms with other heart conditions, accurate diagnosis can be challenging. Common diagnostic tools include:

  • Echocardiogram: This non-invasive test employs sound waves to create images of the heart's structure and function, aiding in identifying tumours and assessing their impact.
  • CT Scan: Computed tomography scans provide detailed cross-sectional images, helping differentiate between benign and malignant tumours.
  • MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging offers enhanced visualisations of tumours, assisting in determining their type and characteristics.

In many cases, a tissue biopsy may not be necessary, as advanced imaging techniques can often ascertain tumour type.

How is heart cancer treated?

Heart cancer is difficult to treat. After treatment, it often returns (recurs) and may spread to other parts of the body. The average life expectancy after a heart cancer diagnosis is about six months without surgical treatment. People can live more than a year when surgery is possible.

The treatment approach for heart cancer depends on tumour type, size, location, and overall patient health. Due to the rarity and complexity of the condition, a multidisciplinary team of experts collaborates to develop an individualised treatment plan.

Surgical excision is the preferred treatment for primary heart tumours whenever possible. Benign tumours are often curable with complete removal, and even large tumours can be partially excised to alleviate symptoms. However, malignant tumours pose greater challenges due to their invasive nature and potentially involving vital heart structures.

For malignant tumours, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are considered to slow tumour growth and manage symptoms. While palliative care is commonly administered, these treatments may have limited effectiveness against primary heart cancer.

In cases of metastatic heart cancer, treatment focuses on controlling cancer spread and alleviating symptoms. Palliative measures, such as chemotherapy and radiation, aim to enhance the patient's quality of life.

Due to the challenging nature of the condition, heart cancer treatment outcomes can vary. Collaborative efforts between oncologists, surgeons, and other specialists are essential to tailor treatments to each patient's unique circumstances, aiming to improve prognosis and quality of life.

Outlook towards heart cancer

  • Primary Malignant Tumours Survival rates are relatively low, with one-year survival at 46%, three-year at 22%, and five-year at 17%.
  • Benign Tumours Prognosis is better, with an average survival of 187.2 months.
  • Metastatic Heart Cancer Often indicates widespread disease, making curative treatment challenging.
  • Palliative Care Focuses on managing symptoms, enhancing quality of life, and providing comfort.
  • Individual Variability Outlook varies based on tumour type, stage, and patient health. Early detection and comprehensive care play a crucial role.

Conclusion

Awareness, early detection, and comprehensive care are vital in heart cancer. While primary heart tumours are rare, their impact can be substantial. As medical understanding and treatments evolve, a proactive approach to health becomes more important than ever. Securing appropriate health insurance, including coverage for cancer-related expenses , is a prudent step toward safeguarding your well-being and financial stability. With the proper care support for such critical illness, you can navigate the challenges of heart cancer and focus on a path towards recovery and an improved quality of life.

Also Read:

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