Although heart cancer is a disease that is rarely found, it can occur in 1 per 100,000 people, especially if it is liver cancer, kidney cancer, or lung cancer, which can spread through the veins to the heart area. It is mostly found in men rather than women. The concern is that heart cancer is almost untreatable, but the treatment aims to reduce suffering and improve the quality of life.
What is heart cancer?
Cancer is abnormal cells that can occur in any organ. However, the cells of the heart muscle or heart wall are not continuously regenerating or changing, so the chance of finding heart cancer is quite low. It often spreads from other organs. Heart cancer usually occurs in the middle wall area from the cells of the blood vessel wall or heart muscle.
What causes heart cancer?
The exact cause of heart cancer is unknown. However, heart cancer can originate from the cells of the blood vessel wall (Angiosarcoma) that make up the blood or lymphatic vessels and from the heart muscle cells (Rhabdomyosarcoma) that start from the heart’s own cells. For both groups, treatment with chemotherapy and radiation is often not very responsive. Surgery to remove the entire cancer is the most appropriate method.
Risk factors for heart cancer
Individuals with a family history of heart cancer are at increased risk for heart cancer. Additionally, those with a genetic predisposition to other cancers should have regular annual health checks. Furthermore, smokers are at risk for lung cancer and heart cancer because smoking stimulates cell repair, leading to premature degeneration. Poor health care, eating unhealthy food, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep, and constant stress may lead to an increased risk of heart cancer.
What are the symptoms of heart cancer?
The symptoms of heart cancer depend on which part of the heart is affected. Heart cancer is often due to the spread of cancer from other organs rather than originating directly in the heart. For example, if heart cancer occurs in the right atrium, patients may experience swelling in the face, body, abdomen, and legs. If heart cancer results from lung cancer, patients may be easily fatigued and unable to lie flat. Direct muscle heart cancer causes weakness of the heart muscle, leading to heart failure. Additionally, if heart failure occurs at a young age and the cause cannot be found, it may also result from heart cancer.
How to observe warning symptoms of heart cancer
Because the exact cause of heart cancer is unknown, observe the following warning signs of heart cancer:
- Swollen face, neck, and body
- Pitting edema in both legs
- Engorged jugular veins
- Enlarged liver and ascites
- Easy fatigue, breathlessness, chronic cough
- Palpitations, irregular heartbeat, fainting
- etc.
Diagnosing heart cancer
Heart cancer can be diagnosed through anechocardiogram to visualize the tumor location clearly. Cardiac CT and Cardiac MRI may also be performed to allow specialized cardiologists to view detailed treatment planning efficiently.
How is heart cancer treated?
Surgery is the best treatment for heart cancer because heart cancer does not respond well to radiation and chemotherapy. If heart cancer results from cancer that has spread from other organs, the focus will be on treating the primary cancer. If it is primary heart cancer, the physician will perform surgery to remove as much cancer as possible. Since the heart does not grow, the details and techniques required for heart cancer surgery are complex and rely heavily on the expertise of the medical team. Each part of the heart has different surgical limitations, making the success rate for heart cancer surgery low, and to be completely cured, the entire cancer must be removed. Heart muscle cancer spreads quickly and is the most difficult to treat surgically, leading to a high mortality rate in heart cancer patients. When surgery is not possible, treatment focuses on managing symptoms closely to reduce pain and suffering and to enhance the patient’s quality of life as much as possible.
Can heart cancer be prevented?
Heart cancer cannot be prevented, but overall good health can be maintained by having regular annual health checks, avoiding smoking, eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, getting sufficient sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring bodily abnormalities. If any abnormalities occur, consult a specialist for a thorough examination, as early detection can reduce the severity of the disease.
Hospitals specialized in heart disease treatment
The Cardiology Clinic at Bangkok Heart Hospital is ready to care for heart cancer and all heart abnormalities with specialized physicians and an experienced multidisciplinary team, utilizing modern medical equipment to ensure long-term heart health for patients.
Specialist in heart disease treatment
Dr. Chattanong Yodwut, Cardiologist at Bangkok Heart Hospital
You can click here to make an appointment yourself.
Heart health check-up packages
Heart health check-up packages start at 9,900 baht.
