Pathology:
Cardiac Tumors are extremely rare abnormal growths in the heart or valves. The tumor may be Malignant (Cancerous) or Benign (Non-Cancerous). Tumors that originate and remain in the heart are Primary Tumors while those that originated in another part of the body and moved to the heart are Secondary Tumors. Cardiac Tumors are usually Benign. Myxoma is the most commonly occuring Primary Tumor.
Complications:
The prognosis of Cardiac Tumors other than Myxoma is guarded and depends on size, location, and type of tumor.
As the tumor increases in size, it reduces the volume of the chambers of the heart, restricting the functioning of the heart as well as its valves. There is associated risk of the Tumor dislodging from the heart and obstructing flow of blood to other organs (Embolism). Hence, all Heart Tumors have to be removed surgically.
Treatment:
The usual investigations needed to diagnose and plan treatment for Cardiac Tumor is Echocardiography (2D Echo), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT Scan). In patients above 40 years of age, Coronary Angiography is required before surgery to identify Coronary Artery Blockages.
The corrective surgical procedures for Cardiac Tumor is Open Heart Surgery. The chest bone (Sternum) is split vertically to access the heart. The Tumor is carefully excised and surrounding tissue might need to be replaced with a Pericardial Patch. Myxoma will usually not reoccur, though recurrence is a small possibility.
Salient feature of Cardiac Tumor Surgery
- After surgical removal of Myxoma, the patient is able to return to an active and healthy life. The patient can expect to live his normally expected life span without further complication.
- Patients display significant symptomatic improvement after Cardiac Tumor Surgery (Myxoma Excision).
- In some cases, where Coronary Artery blockages are observed along with Cardiac Tumor, both Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) and Myxoma Excision can be performed simultaneously.
