Get to know heart cancer (Cardiac cancer)

Heart cancer (Cardiac cancer) is extremely rare and is typically a result of cancer spreading from other organs like the lungs, breasts, or intestines. It usually spreads to the outer walls of the heart or the pericardial cavity. However, primary cancers originating in the heart itself, such as angiosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, typically develop in the heart's middle wall and arise from vascular cells or heart muscles.

Due to its rarity, the causes and risk factors for heart cancer are still unknown, and no early screening method exists. Consequently, there's no known way to prevent the disease. The symptoms mirror those of other heart diseases combined with common cancer symptoms.

Common symptoms of heart cancer include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic cough
• Low-grade fever
• Swelling of the face and neck
• Jugular vein distension
• Enlarged liver
• Ascites (fluid in the abdomen)
• Pitting edema in both legs

Diagnosis is typically performed through CT scans, echocardiography, Cardiac CT, and Cardiac MRI, which help visualize tumor locations and assess the spread.

Heart cancer often doesn't respond well to radiation or chemotherapy. Surgery to remove the tumor is generally required, although complete removal is only possible in certain cases. If the cancer spreads to the coronary arteries, bypass surgery may be needed to prevent complications like a heart attack.

In case of any unusual symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. While there’s no direct prevention, maintaining overall health remains essential in reducing the risk of other diseases.