Due to the fact that a rather rapid metabolism occurs in the heart muscle, as well as this part of the body is perfectly supplied with blood and nutrients , heart cancer is an uncommon disease. However, it does exist. Today, doctors distinguish primary and secondary tumors of this important organ.
Cancer of the heart. Types
Most often, from primary malignant diseases, sarcoma arises. It appears in both men and women over the age of 30. As a rule, a tumor spreads very quickly, occurring mainly in the right heart. Cancer cells grow in all major arteries, layers of the heart muscle and veins. Metastases affect the lungs, lymph nodes, even the brain.
Another type of malignant heart disease is angiosarcoma. With this disease, multiple hollow formations arise that are completely filled with blood. Moreover, they communicate with each other.
At any age, the so-called rhabdomyosarcoma may appear. Its initial localization is striated muscle tissue. A little more often this option arises among representatives of the strong half of humanity.
Fibrosarcoma is a cancer that is a clear and limited node. It is possible for representatives of both sexes to arise with the same probability.
Secondary tumors are metastases of the following types of cancer :
- kidney
- mammary glands;
- the stomach;
- lungs.
Due to the fact that the life expectancy of cancer patients has recently increased due to new technologies and treatment methods, heart metastases are found ten times less often than before.
Signs of a Sick Heart
Depending on the location of the swelling, as well as its size, the picture of the disease may vary. Some symptoms appear stronger, and some are completely absent.
Typical signs of heart disease with cancer look like this:
- the appearance of heart failure, which rapidly develops and progresses;
- the heart grows in size;
- arrhythmia occurs;
- conduction is disturbed.
For some time in the initial stages of cancer, the disease can develop without any symptoms. Gradually appear:
- pain in the whole body and joints;
- constant weakness, increasing every day;
- the temperature rises and lasts a long time;
- numbness of the limbs;
- rash;
- fast weight loss.
Cancer of the heart. Diagnostics
One of the options for studying a malignant tumor of the heart is echocardiography. True, this method helps a specialist only determine the most acceptable tactics of surgical intervention. Today, computer tomography is increasingly being used in cancer diagnosis . With its help, you can see exactly where the tumor is and in which direction it spreads and grows. As an additional diagnostic tool, magnetic resonance imaging is used.
Treatment
Heart cancer in most cases is not treated surgically. This is due to the fact that at the time of detection of the disease, the tumor is already spread not only on the myocardium itself, but also on other organs. A more common treatment is radiation therapy. It can be carried out as an independent procedure or in combination with chemotherapy. All this allows you to slightly suspend the development of cancer and its severity. Thanks to this treatment, the patient can be prolonged for 5 years.
In addition to everything, the doctor always prescribes symptomatic treatment to save the patient from the unpleasant symptoms that accompany heart cancer. In the absence of proper treatment, the prognosis is very unfavorable. As a rule, six months to a year after the onset of the first symptoms, and the person dies.
If you suspect a heart tumor, you need to see a doctor. In this case, you should turn first to a cardiologist, and then to an oncologist when confirming the assumption.