Are you experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, feeling light-headed, or suddenly losing weight? The cause may be something you don't even think about. Today we're going to talk about a rare but important condition that affects the heart. It's called Cardiac Myxoma . Even though the name may sound scary, let's talk about it in a simple way that you can understand.
What is myxoma? Is it a tumor that forms in the heart?
Simply put, a myxoma is a tumor that forms in your heart. But the good news is that it is a noncancerous tumor. That means it does not spread to other parts of the body. Myxoma is the most common primary noncancerous tumor that starts in the heart.
These tumors can come in a variety of sizes. Some are as small as a centimeter, while others can be as large as 15 centimeters. Imagine the impact that something that big would have on your heart!
Most often (about 74%) these myxomas develop in the left atrium of your heart, which is the upper left chamber of your heart. Next, about 18% develop in the right atrium , which is the upper right chamber. Because they develop in the upper chambers of the heart, they are also called atrial myxomas . The remaining small number (about 8%) can also develop in the lower chambers of the heart , the ventricles .
Myxomas usually develop from the atrial septum, the wall that separates the left and right chambers of the heart. Often, the tumor is attached to this wall by a stalk-like structure called a pedicle . This stalk allows the tumor to move around and float within the heart. Sometimes, as it moves, the tumor can become lodged in a heart valve and block blood flow.
Although these are not cancerous, they are very dangerous because they can interfere with the functioning of the heart. That is why people with myxomas must have surgery to remove them. If this is not done, serious complications can occur.
Who is more likely to develop myxoma?
Myxoma usually affects people between the ages of 30 and 60. Also, the condition is more common in women than in men.
However, it's a little different for people with a genetic condition called Carney's complex . This Carney's complex can cause multiple myxomas to form not only in the heart but also elsewhere in the body. Myxomas are usually diagnosed in these people in their early 20s. Also, the condition is more common in men than in women.
How common is Myxoma?
Primary heart tumors are very rare. They affect less than one in 2,000 people. About half of these primary heart tumors are called myxomas. So, you can imagine how rare this condition is.
How does a myxoma affect my body?
Myxoma can interfere with blood flow throughout your body and within your heart. There are two main complications that can occur:
1. Embolism:
This is the most dangerous thing. Embolism is the blockage of a blood vessel. Some myxomas are friable . This means they can break off easily. A piece of the tumor can break off, travel through the bloodstream, and get stuck in a blood vessel somewhere in the body. Or, a blood clot can form on the myxoma, and the clot can break off and get stuck.
Imagine what would happen if a piece of this fragment got stuck in a blood vessel leading to the brain? It could cause a stroke ! So this is not something to be taken lightly. The most common complication of cardiac myxoma is this embolism.
2. Valve obstruction:
As we mentioned earlier, myxomas are often attached to a stalk, which means they swing back and forth as blood flows through the heart. When they swing, if the tumor falls through the opening of a heart valve, it can temporarily block the flow of blood through that valve. This often happens to the mitral valve , which is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. This causes the valve to close and open, which disrupts the smooth pumping of blood through the heart to the body.
What are the symptoms of a myxoma?
The symptoms of a myxoma depend on where it is in the heart and how it affects the body. You may experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Getting a fever .
- Lethargy, extreme fatigue.
- Night sweats.
- Raynaud's phenomenon: This is when the fingertips and toes turn pale, blue, then red and numb when exposed to cold.
- Shortness of breath during exercise or exertion.
- Shortness of breath or fainting when standing. This is because when you stand, gravity pulls the tumor into the mitral valve, temporarily lowering blood pressure.
- Weight loss without reason.
Just because you have these symptoms doesn't mean you have myxoma. Other heart conditions can have similar symptoms. However, if you notice something like this, it's wise to see a doctor.
What causes myxoma?
Most of the time , there is no clear cause for myxoma. However, about 10% of cases are caused by a genetic condition called Carney's complex , which we discussed earlier. If anyone in your family has this Carney's complex, it is very important to tell your doctor about it.
How is Myxoma diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose myxoma through a physical exam and various tests. It can sometimes take a while to diagnose it because its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases.
During your physical exam, your doctor will listen to your heart using a stethoscope . If you have a myxoma, you may hear an abnormal heart sound called a "tumor plop." This is the sound that the myxoma makes when it temporarily blocks the mitral valve.
The doctor will also talk to you about your symptoms and any changes you are experiencing. If he suspects a myxoma or other heart disease, he will order several imaging tests .
What tests are used to diagnose Myxoma?
Imaging tests are essential to diagnose myxoma. Your doctor may perform one or more of the following tests:
- Echocardiogram: This is the most important test. A transthoracic echo, which is done across the chest, usually shows a myxoma. However, sometimes a transesophageal echo (a small tube inserted down the throat) may be done to look for small tumors or to see exactly where the tumor is attached to the heart.
- Cardiac MRI: An MRI scan of the heart.
- Cardiac CT scans: A CT scan of the heart.
In addition, a blood test may reveal signs of a myxoma:
- Decreased red blood cells ( anemia ).
- Decreased platelet count ( thrombocytopenia ).
- Increased white blood cell count (this indicates inflammation in the body).
However, these blood tests alone cannot determine the presence of myxoma. They can also be caused by other conditions. However, when combined with imaging tests and physical examination findings, they can help the doctor make a diagnosis.
What are the treatments for Myxoma?
If you are diagnosed with a myxoma, you will need surgery to remove the tumor. Your doctor will explain more about this and how to prepare for the surgery.
It is very important to remove a myxoma as soon as possible , as myxomas have a high risk of causing embolism, which can be life-threatening.
What is the outlook for people with myxoma?
The outlook for people with myxomas is generally good. Surgery can usually completely remove myxomas and prevent them from recurring.
However, about 1% to 2% of people develop a new myxoma within 10-15 years of surgery. People with Carney's complex are at higher risk of this type of recurrence.
This is why, if you have a history of myxoma, your doctor will recommend regular imaging tests , especially an echocardiogram. These tests can detect new myxomas early, reducing the risk of future complications.
People who have had myxoma have an increased risk of developing atrial arrhythmias , which are rhythm problems in the upper chambers of the heart. Your doctor will talk to you about this risk and prescribe medication if necessary.
When should I see my doctor?
If you have any symptoms of a myxoma, see a doctor immediately. These symptoms may not be due to a myxoma, but may be due to another heart condition. However, with any heart condition, it is important to get tested and treated quickly before the problem gets worse.
If you are diagnosed with a myxoma, your doctor will tell you how long it will take to come back for follow-up tests and when to have surgery.
If you have surgery to remove a myxoma, follow your doctor's instructions exactly during and after your recovery.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
Talk to your doctor about your diagnosis and future plans. You can ask questions like:
- How big is a myxoma?
- How has myxoma affected my heart?
- Do I have more than one nut?
- When will I have to have surgery?
- Do I need any medications to control symptoms or complications?
- How often should I come for re-tests or additional tests?
Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)
It's normal to feel scared and anxious when you find out you have a heart tumor. However, the good news is that myxoma is a condition that can usually be completely removed with surgery. About 98% of people never develop them again.
If you have Carney's complex , you are at high risk of developing it again. However, by seeing your doctor at regular intervals and having tests like an echocardiogram, you can catch any new growths before they cause complications.
If you need surgery, talk to your doctor about what to expect and how long it will take to recover. It's also important to talk to your doctor about your risk of developing irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) or other problems with the heart's electrical system. You may need medication to control these problems after the tumor is removed. Don't be afraid, talk to your doctor about everything and put your mind at ease.
` Myxoma, cardiac tumors, heart disease, embolism, valve obstruction, heart surgery, Carney's complex
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