Anyone who hears the word "heart tumor" is a little scared, right? It's normal to feel scared and worried when you hear those words. But don't worry. The most important thing is that most of these tumors that develop in the heart are not cancerous. Today, in this article, we will talk about heart tumors, the surgeries that remove them, and try to find answers to many of the questions you may have.
What is heart tumor removal surgery?
Simply put, this is a very complex medical procedure. It involves surgically removing a tumor in your heart. This surgery is especially important if there is a risk of complications due to a non-cancerous (benign) tumor.
Sometimes, depending on the type of tumor you have, you may need reconstructive surgery to repair damage to your heart or one of its valves. Your doctor will explain this to you.
What exactly is a heart tumor?
A heart tumor is a growth that occurs inside your heart. These can be primary heart tumors. This means that these tumors originate in the heart itself and have not spread from somewhere else in the body.
The good news is that the majority of these primary heart tumors are non-cancerous (benign). This means that they have almost no risk of spreading (metastasizing) to other parts of the body. They are not associated with a shortened life expectancy after proper removal.
Two of the most common types of primary heart tumors are myxoma and papillary fibroelastoma . Although these are noncancerous growths, they can affect the function of the heart valves. Furthermore, they increase the risk of a blood clot forming and traveling through a blood vessel, causing an embolism or stroke. Therefore, your doctor may recommend surgical removal of the tumor.
Cancerous tumors of the heart, called sarcomas , are very rare, and surgery is not often used as a treatment.
Can a tumor really be removed from a heart?
Yes, in most cases, surgeons can completely remove a tumor from the heart. Surgery to remove non-cancerous tumors, such as myxoma and papillary fibroelastoma, is particularly successful .
However, some complex noncancerous tumors and cancerous tumors can be difficult to remove. In such cases, surgeons remove as much of the tumor as possible (partial resection). This can help relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life. In other cases, surgery may not be possible. In that case, your doctor may recommend other treatments or palliative care.
Who needs this surgery?
You may need surgery if your doctor thinks the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks. Your doctor is more likely to recommend surgery if:
- If the tumor causes symptoms .
- If it interferes with the normal functioning of the heart.
- If you increase your risk of complications such as blood clots or stroke.
- If the tumor is growing rapidly .
How do surgeons remove a tumor from the heart?
The traditional method for removing heart tumors is open-heart surgery. However, with advances in medical science, minimally invasive methods have now become available that require less recovery time.
Heart tumors are very rare. Therefore, surgeries to remove them are not as common as other heart surgeries. That's why it's very important to seek treatment at a major hospital that has experience in these types of surgeries. A team of surgeons will examine your condition and decide on the type of surgery that is best for you.
Traditional open-heart surgery
This method allows the surgeon to see your heart and surrounding organs directly while performing the surgery. This involves making a long incision down the middle of your chest. This is called a median sternotomy in medical terms.
You will be put into a deep sleep under anesthesia so that you will not feel anything during the surgery. You will also be connected to a cardiopulmonary bypass machine . This machine temporarily takes over the work of your heart and lungs during the surgery. This allows the surgeon to operate on a non-beating, stationary heart.
The surgeon removes the tumor and, if necessary, reconstructs the damaged parts of the heart. Depending on the extent of the tumor's impact on the heart, this reconstruction may include valve repair or valve replacement.
Minimally invasive heart surgery
This method involves removing the tumor through several very small incisions , rather than making a long incision down the middle of the chest like in open-heart surgery. However, this method also requires anesthesia and a heart-lung machine.
Robotically assisted heart surgery
This is also a type of minimally invasive surgery. Surgeons perform this surgery using endoscopic technology and do not open the chest.
For this procedure, the surgeon makes several small incisions in your ribs. Through these incisions, instruments attached to robotic arms are inserted. The movements of these robotic arms are controlled by the surgeon's own hands. Special camera technology allows the surgeon to see the inside of the heart clearly throughout the operation.
What happens before the surgery?
Your medical team will give you instructions on how to prepare for surgery, and it is very important to follow those instructions exactly.
- Whether you need to make any changes to the medications you take.
- You must fast (without food or drink) from the night before the surgery.
- If you smoke, you should stop smoking a few weeks before surgery. This is essential to reduce the risk of complications.
Also, the medical team will do one or more tests to get a clear picture of the tumor and your heart. The types of tests you may need to have are:
- CT scan (Computed tomography - CT scan)
- Coronary angiogram
- Echocardiogram
- MRI scan (Magnetic resonance imaging - MRI scan)
What happens after the surgery?
After the surgery, you will be kept in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a day or more, where you will be monitored closely. After that, you will be transferred to a regular ward. The number of days you will stay in the hospital will depend on the type of surgery you had and how quickly you recover. It will vary from person to person. The medical team will keep you informed about your condition and tell you when you can go home.
What are the benefits and risks of this surgery?
As with any surgery, there are both benefits and risks. It is important to discuss these openly with your doctor.
| Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|
|
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| Additional benefits of robotic surgery | |
Robotic surgery offers the following advantages over traditional open surgery:
| |
Important: Minimally invasive methods reduce the risk of complications. Talk to your doctor about the risks associated with your upcoming surgery.
How is the recovery time?
Your recovery time depends on factors such as the type of surgery you had and your overall health. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions and tell you what to expect. In general, you can recover more quickly after robotic surgery than after open heart surgery. Most people can return to normal activities and work as soon as they feel strong.
After any surgery, it is essential to strictly follow your doctor's instructions regarding what to do and what not to do during the recovery period.
When should I see the doctor again?
Your surgeon will tell you what symptoms to look out for during your recovery. While it is normal to feel some discomfort, it is important to be aware of the signs that could indicate a complication, such as an infection.
| Symptoms to watch out for |
|---|
If you have one or more of the following symptoms, notify your doctor immediately:
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If you are having surgery to remove a heart tumor, you may have many questions on your mind. You may wonder what will happen after the surgery, what your long-term survival chances are, etc. Remember, everyone’s medical journey is different. Statistics only tell one side of the story. Don’t hesitate to talk to your surgeon or anyone on your medical team about any questions or concerns you may have.
Take-Home Message
- The majority of heart tumors are not cancerous , so don't be unnecessarily alarmed.
- Surgery to remove these tumors is often very successful .
- Modern, minimally invasive surgical techniques such as robotic technology allow for a quicker recovery and return to normal life.
- Talk openly with your doctor about your condition, the benefits and risks of the surgery, and ask any questions you have.
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