When we think of cancer, organs like the lungs, breasts, and intestines immediately come to mind. But have you ever thought that one of the most important organs in our body, the heart, can also develop cancer? Yes, it is. Although it is very, very rare, it can happen. Since this is something that many people do not know, it is very important to be aware of this. So let's talk about this in a friendly way today.
What exactly is heart cancer?
Simply put, heart cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in or around the heart, forming a tumor. This cancer can occur in two main ways.
1. Primary Heart Cancer: This means that the cancer starts in the heart. This is what I said was very rare. The most common type of primary cancer among adults is Angiosarcoma . This is a serious type of cancer that develops in the soft tissues.
2. Secondary Heart Cancer: This is the most common type. What happens here is that cancer cells from another part of the body, for example, the lungs, breast, kidneys, or skin, spread to the heart. We call this type of cancer metastatic cancer .
In fact, these secondary cancers that spread from elsewhere are about 30-40 times more common than cancers that start in the heart itself.
Why is heart cancer so rare?
This is a very good question. To understand why this is the case, let's look at a small example. Think about our skin. Skin cells are constantly dying and new ones are being produced. Where there are cells that divide rapidly, there is a greater chance that a mutation will occur during division and cancer will develop. Places like the lungs and intestines also have cells that renew themselves quickly.
But the muscle cells in our heart don't divide and renew themselves that often. They last a long time. Because of that stability, those cells are much less likely to become cancerous. That's the main reason why heart cancer is so rare.
What are the symptoms of heart cancer?
Because heart cancer is rare, sometimes symptoms can be mistaken for other heart conditions, and some people may not have any symptoms until the disease is very advanced.
One of the main symptoms is the sudden onset of heart failure with no other cause. If the tumor is pressing on a heart chamber or interfering with the function of a valve, you may experience shortness of breath and extreme fatigue .
Let's see what other symptoms are in the table below.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Heartbeat abnormalities (Arrhythmia) | Sudden rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, or rhythm changes. |
| Chest Pain | A squeezing, constricting pain, like a heart attack. |
| Fainting | Loss of consciousness due to insufficient blood flow from the heart to the brain. |
| Pericardial Effusion | A fluid-like fluid fills the thin sac around the heart, putting pressure on the heart. |
| Weight loss | Rapid weight loss for no reason. |
Symptoms that may occur if the cancer spreads
A primary cancer that starts in the heart can spread to other parts of the body, especially the brain, spinal cord, or lungs . If this happens, symptoms such as:
- Long-lasting back pain.
- Confusion or memory problems.
- Coughing up blood.
What causes this?
To be honest, the exact cause of heart cancer is still unknown, but it is believed that certain factors may play a role.
- Genetic influence: Scientists have found that it can sometimes be inherited. Changes (mutations) in specific genes, such as POT1 , can affect it. If a parent has this genetic mutation, there is a chance that it will be passed on to their children.
- Other risk factors: Men between the ages of 30 and 50 are at slightly higher risk than women. There is also a belief that smokers and people with AIDS may also be at increased risk, but there is not enough data on this yet.
What are the dangerous complications that can occur?
The heart is like the engine of our body. So when cancer develops in it, it can affect the entire body.
- Blood clot: Imagine a small piece of cancer breaking off and traveling through the bloodstream. If it gets stuck in a blood vessel in the brain, it can cause a stroke . If it gets stuck in a blood vessel in the lungs, it can also be very dangerous. We call it a pulmonary embolism .
- Heart disease: Cancer can weaken the heart's function, leading to a heart attack or severe heart failure .
- Valve damage: If the cancer grows near a heart valve, the valve may not open or close properly, obstructing blood flow.
- Fluid buildup around the heart: Cancer can cause fluid to build up in the sac around the heart (pericardium). To relieve this pressure, doctors may need to insert a thin tube and remove the fluid. This procedure is called pericardiocentesis .
How do doctors find this?
Because this disease is so rare, a doctor may not suspect it at first. It is usually discovered incidentally during tests to look for another heart condition. One or more of the following tests may be done:
| Test | What do you see in this? |
|---|---|
| Echocardiogram | This is like a heart scan. It can clearly see things like the shape of the heart, its function, valves, and cancerous tumors. |
| CT or MRI scan | These can be used to obtain 3D images of the heart and chest and accurately determine the size and location of the tumor. |
| ECG (Electrocardiogram) | The electrical activity of the heart is checked to see if there are any abnormalities in the rhythm of the heartbeat. |
| Angiography | A special fluid is injected into the veins that supply blood to the heart and an X-ray is taken to see if there are any blockages in those veins. |
What are the treatment options?
The treatment method is determined by considering many factors, such as the type, size, location of the cancer, and the patient's overall health.
- Chemotherapy and Radiation: Sometimes these treatments can shrink the cancer and control symptoms.
- Surgery: If possible, the best solution is to have surgery to completely remove the cancerous tumor. These are very complex surgeries. Sometimes, surgeons remove the entire heart from the body, remove the tumor, and then reattach the heart to the body. This is called autotransplantation .
- Heart Transplant: In some rare cases, if there are no other options, a heart transplant or artificial heart implantation may be an option.
What will life be like with this situation?
This is really hard to talk about, but it's important to know. Heart cancer is a very difficult and serious condition to treat. Even after treatment, the disease can recur and spread to other parts of the body.
Typically, if surgery is not possible, the life expectancy is about six months. However, if the tumor is successfully removed completely through surgery, patients can live for more than a year, sometimes even several years. This varies greatly from person to person.
If you or someone close to you receives a diagnosis like this, it can be a life-changing experience. Talking to a counselor about your feelings can be a great relief. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor and family for help.
When should you see a doctor immediately?
If you have any of the following symptoms, do not ignore them. See a doctor as soon as possible. Especially if you experience sudden chest pain or severe difficulty breathing, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital immediately.
- Changes in heart rate or rhythm
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Long-term back pain
- Confusion or memory problems
- Coughing up blood
- Dizziness or fainting
It's normal to have many questions when learning about such a difficult disease. Ask your doctor about these things.
- "What type of heart cancer do I have?"
- "What treatments can I have?"
- "How to manage the side effects of treatment?"
- "What complications should I watch out for?"
We hope this information will help you understand this rare condition. The most important thing is to be aware of any unusual changes in your body and seek medical advice promptly.
Take-Home Message
- Heart cancer is a very rare disease.
- Secondary cancers that spread from another organ are more common than primary cancers that start in the heart itself.
- Heart failure, which occurs suddenly and without a known cause, may be a major symptom.
- Don't ignore symptoms such as chest pain, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and fainting.
- Treatment of this disease is very complex and should be carried out under the supervision of a team of specialist doctors.
- If you have any concerns about your health, always talk to your doctor.
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