Cardiac tumours are basically tumours of the heart.
What are the types of cardiac tumours ?
Primary cardiac tumours arise from the heart tissue itself and are quite rare. A vast majority of all primary cardiac tumours are benign. The majority of primary tumours are benign such as myxoma (benign tumour of connective tissue containing myxomatous or gelatinous material), being the most common form of primary tumours, and accounting for approximately half of these tumours. Even fibromas (tumour of fibrous tissue), rhabdomas (tumour of skeletal muscle) and haemangiomas (tumour of blood vessels) have been known to occur in the heart. About a quarter of primary cardiac tumours are malignant, most of them being sarcomas (malignant tumour of connective tissue) or lymphomas (malignant tumour of the lymph nodes). Malignant primary cardiac tumours include angiosarcoma (most common), rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, myxosarcoma, fibrosarcoma and synovial sarcoma. A malignant secondary cardiac tumour usually occurs secondary to a known malignant process elsewhere, mostly from the nearby breast, lung or stomach. It could also be a secondary from the malignant melanoma, lymphoma or leukaemia.
What are the clinical features of cardiac tumours ?
Cardiac tumours usually presents as an asymptomatic mass. More often than not, patients are asymptomatic as long as the tumour masses do not become significantly large. These tumours may also present with cardiovascular (heart) related symptoms or constitutional symptoms (these include symptoms affecting the whole body like weight loss,
fevers, chronic pain and malaise).
How are cardiac tumours diagnosed ?
A complete physical examination of the body is mandatory. Cardiac non-invasive imaging mainly transthoracic echocardiography (either a still or moving image can be obtained of the internal areas of the heart using ultrasound) and trasnoesophageal echocardiography (a specialized ultrasound probe is passed into the patient’s oesophagus) are known to detect heart masses easily. The cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are additional complementary investigations, for refining the exact diagnosis of the tumour as well as in the post-surgical follow-up. Histology with immunohistochemistry of any cardiac mass is mandatory for the diagnosis, deciding therapy and even prognosis.
How are cardiac tumours treated ?
The chief types of treatment that can be used for cardiac tumours include the following.
- In the current era, for benign cardiac tumours, after establishing an early, timely diagnosis, immediate, appropriate treatment can be given for cure. Benign cardiac tumours may be successfully excised if most of the surgery is conservative and removes minimal functional structures.
- In general, malignant tumours have a poor prognosis when diagnosis is confirmed. This is because of its invasive and infiltrating behaviour that affects the heart and adjacent organs or distant metastasis. Surgery usually tends to alleviate some symptoms. In some cases, surgery can be combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for this very purpose.
- In other cases, heart transplantation has been performed with variable results.
What are the types of cardiac tumour resection surgery ?
- Simple tumor resection: Simple resection is the basic type of tumor resection, used generally for benign tumors like myxomas. Care has to be taken in linking the heart–lung machine to avoid dislodging any tumor material elsewhere. Then, the tumor and its whole root are removed completely. All the chambers of the heart are examined completely to rule out presence of further tumors. The area which is left is then closed with patch material.
- Complex tumor resection: Complex tumor resection is done of the heart as well as some adjacent tissues. When the mass is not confined to the heart then this is done.
- Ex-situ resection: In case the tumor is extensive, extending to involve the posterior wall of the left atrium or the great vessels, the heart has to be completely resected from the thorax. After tumor resection the cardiac anatomy is restored with artificial materials (such as prostheses, patches, valves) or even biological tissue before the heart is reimplanted (put back). Left and/or right heart failure may result as a secondary complication of ex-situ resection.
- Endoscopic tumor resection: Endoscopic cardiac tumor resection is feasible, wherein tumor resection is done via an endoscope. It is a valid oncologic approach with a striking cosmetic advantage over median sternotomy (wherein chest is opened and there will be a wide scar).
What is the care to be taken after the removal of a cardiac tumour ?
Metastatic diagnostic workup and monitoring post-treatment has to include imaging and scanning of the limbs, thorax, chest, retroperitoneum, and abdomen with radiography, MRI or CT scans. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be required in cases wherein excision cannot be done completely.
How to find and reach heart surgeons for cardiac tumour surgery ?
Now you can find and reach heart surgeons for cardiac tumour surgery from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions and information from multiple heart surgeons, get cost estimates for cardiac tumour surgery from different heart hospitals, compare things and then choose a heart surgeon for cardiac tumour surgery.
Find, reach and choose a heart surgeon for cardiac tumour surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
