Cardiac Sarcoma
What is cardiac sarcoma?
Cardiac sarcoma is a type of tumor that occurs in the heart. Cardiac sarcoma is a primary malignant (cancerous) tumor. Tumors are considered to be either primary tumors or secondary tumors. A primary tumor is the original site of tumor growth. A secondary tumor originates from another tumor elsewhere in the body. Primary tumors of the heart are rare, and over 75 percent of primary cardiac tumors are benign (non-cancerous).
What are the symptoms of cardiac sarcoma?
The symptoms of heart tumors will vary, depending on the location of the tumor. Tumors of the heart may occur on the outside surface of the heart, within one or more chambers of the heart (intracavitary), or within the muscle tissue of the heart.
Cardiac sarcomas, most frequently, are a type of sarcoma called angiosarcoma. Angiosarcomas usually begin in the right atrium (right upper chamber) of the heart, or on the pericardium (outer surface) of the heart. Approximately 80 percent of angiosarcomas occur in the right atrium resulting in obstruction of the inflow or outflow of blood. This obstruction may cause symptoms such as swelling of the feet, legs, ankles, and/or abdomen, and distension of the neck veins, because the blood coming back to the heart after traveling through the body cannot easily enter or be pumped out of the right atrium.
Cardiac angiosarcomas that occur on the pericardium can cause increased fluid in the pericardial sac, the thin covering that surrounds the heart. If enough fluid accumulates within the pericardial sac, the heart's ability to pump blood is affected. Some signs of this occurrence may include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations.
Tiny pieces (emboli) of cardiac sarcomas may break off and travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. An embolus may block blood flow to an organ or body part, causing pain and damage to the organ or body part that lies beyond the point at which the blood flow is obstructed. Emboli can affect the brain (causing a stroke), the lungs (causing respiratory distress), and/or other organs and body parts.
Additional symptoms include hemoptysis (coughing up blood), heart rhythm problems and upper facial congestion. Other signs of cardiac sarcoma not related to the location of the tumor in the heart may include fever, weight loss, night sweats, and malaise (fatigue, tiredness, or "not feeling well").
The symptoms of cardiac sarcoma may resemble other cardiac or medical conditions. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
How is cardiac sarcoma diagnosed?
The methods for diagnosing cardiac sarcoma vary, to some degree, based on the symptoms present. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for cardiac sarcoma may include the following:
- echocardiogram (also known as echo) - a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to produce a study of the motion of the heart's chambers and valves. The echo sound waves create an image on the monitor as an ultrasound transducer is passed over the heart. Echocardiography has become the most useful tool in the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoma, allowing the physician to see the exact size and location of the tumor.
- electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage; cardiac sarcoma may cause changes in the heart's rhythm, however, these EKG changes may indicate other heart problems, so other diagnostic tools are needed to make a definitive diagnosis of cardiac sarcoma or any other type of heart tumor.
- computed tomography (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays and are used to further define the tumor's size, location, and other characteristics.
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body; to further define the tumor's size, location, and other characteristics.
- chest x-ray - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film; may detect heart enlargement or pulmonary congestion.
- cardiac catheteri
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