Can the Heart Get Cancer?

Rarest of rare form of cancer: in the Heart

Rarely, but yes would be the answer. We hear about cancer of the lungs, colon, breasts, skin, but almost never about Heart cancers. It may be because they are the rarest forms of cancer that are known in medicine.

Why are heart tumors rare?

Scientists have been studying about the unique characteristics of the Heart, that might prevent or not support the growth of tumors. Perhaps, there could be some molecular or genetic clues that empower the heart muscle cells , called the cardiomyocytes, and other supporting cells such as fibroblast and the Extracellular Matrix, that forms the heart tissue and the major blood vessels to be protected from the adverse condition of cancer. Some reasons could be:

1. Before birth, the cardiomyocytes divide actively to complete heart development. But, stop dividing after birth, however, they grow bigger in size without an increase in number. Tumors develop from rapidly dividing cells, which is not supported in the heart, and might protect it from forming tumors.

2. The heart has excellent blood flow and thus good oxygenation; this environment is less favorable for tumor growth and survival.

3. The unique ability of the cardiomyocytes to beat, this mechanical factor, could be less supportive for tumor growth or survival.

   
   

   Types of tumors diagnosed in the heart:

   
   

   1. Primary Heart Tumors: These are very rare, start in the heart, and are mostly benign, that is, non-cancerous, called myxomas.

   2. Primary Malignant Heart Tumors: These are the most common among the heart tumors, originating from the connective tissue in the heart and are called Cardiac Sarcomas.

   3. Secondary Metastatic Heart Tumors: These type of cancers originate from other parts of the body, may be lungs, breast, kidneys or the lymph nodes, and spread to the heart.

   
   

   Symptoms:

   
   

   The symptoms of tumors in the heart are often "silent" or might present as certain common heart conditions that make their diagnosis quite challenging. These may differ depending on the size and location of the tumor. Some include:

   1. Shortness of breath

   2. Pain in the chest or feeling of pressure

   3. Fatigue or weakness

   4. Irregular heartbeats

   5. Swelling in the abdomen or legs, due to restricted blood flow.

   
   

   Diagnosis:

   
   

   Regular Echocardiogram that uses ultrasounds, can check for any masses in the heart. Advanced methods such CT, MRI and PET Scan can precisely detect any active cancerous masses. If the imaging suggests abnormal growth, a biopsy could be done to determine the type of growth and further treatment options.

   
   

   Treatment:

   
   

   Treating Heart tumors can be complex and risky, depending upon the type, location and spread of the cancer.

   1. First option, could be Surgical removal, if the tumor is localized and diagnosed early.

   2. Chemotherapy: This therapy might be utilized to slow tumor growth; however, the Heart is very sensitive to chemotherapy drugs, leading to decreased heart function.

   3. Radiation Therapy: Due to the highly targeted nature of radiation used, there is an increased risk of Heart damage in this treatment.

   4. Heart Transplant: Can be considered on rare occasions, when the outcome and quality of life are predicted to be good; however, there is a risk of rejection or recurrence of cancer.

   
   

   The Heart might be one of the most Resilient organs against Cancer; therefore, awareness, prompt and correct diagnosis can make a lot of difference to the life of patient and disease outcome.

   
   

   References:

   1. Burke, A., & Virmani, R. (1996). Tumors of the heart and great vessels. Atlas of Tumor Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

   2. Lam, K. Y., Dickens, P., & Chan, A. C. (1993). Tumors of the heart: A 20-year experience with a review of 12,485 consecutive autopsies. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 117(10), 1027–1031.

   3. Randall, P. A., & Shapiro, L. M. (1995). Cardiac tumours: Diagnosis and management. Heart, 74(6), 580–584.

   4. Butany, J., Nair, V., Naseemuddin, A., Nair, G. M., Catton, C., & Yau, T. (2005). Cardiac tumours: Diagnosis and management. Lancet Oncology, 6(4), 219–228.

   5. Patel, J., Sheppard, M. N. (2010). Pathological study of primary cardiac and pericardial tumors in a specialist UK centre: Surgical and autopsy series. Cardiovascular Pathology, 19(6), 343–352.

   6. American Heart Association. (2023). Heart Tumors.

   
   

   Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board