Cardiac tumors are abnormal growths in the heart. Tumors that begin in the heart are called primary tumors. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Malignant tumors are cancerous and may spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors do not grow uncontrollably and usually do not spread.
Cancers that start in another part of the body and spread to the heart are called secondary tumors or metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer in the heart most often spreads from the lung, breast, blood, or skin (melanoma).
Cardiac tumors are very rare.
The cause of primary cardiac tumors is unknown. They are more common in women than in men.
About half of all cardiac tumors are benign tumors called myxomas. Myxomas often are pedunculated. This means that they are attached to the heart by a thin cordlike structure, like a ball on the end of a string. The tumor can swing with the blood flow. It may block and unblock heart valves, interrupting blood flow at times.
About one-fourth of cardiac tumors are malignant sarcomas (cancers of the muscle cells of the heart).
Tumors may interfere with the normal function of the heart. They may cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, abnormal rhythms, fast heartbeats, or fainting.
Myxomas can cause symptoms that affect other parts of the body, such as fever, rashes, and arthritis. Pieces of myxomas may break off, travel in the bloodstream, and block a blood vessel (embolize) in another part of the body. If they travel to the brain, they can cause a stroke.
Cardiac tumors can be hard to diagnose. They cause symptoms that are like the symptoms of other types of heart disease. They are most often diagnosed with an ultrasound scan of the heart (echocardiogram). Examples of other commonly used tests are transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans.
The treatment depends on the kind of tumor. Surgery to remove the tumor may be recommended if it is not too large and can be completely removed without hurting the heart. Medicines may be used to treat symptoms of heart failure or abnormal heart rhythms.
The long-term outlook varies greatly with the type of tumor. Tumors that are not treated, even if they are benign, may cause problems and be life threatening. If a myxoma is surgically removed, you may expect to be symptom free and have a normal lifespan. Sometimes the myxoma can come back, so it's important to have regular checkups.
For a cancerous secondary tumor, the more the cancer has spread, the less chance for cure.
Talk with your healthcare provider about your particular situation.
