Question 1

is heart cancer possible?

Accepted Answer

Muscle Cancer: There are rare muscle-cancers that can occur in the heart muscle.   Because heart muscle does not replicate much. Cancer is very rare in these tissues.  Occasionally a sarcoma (cancer of soft tissues) can form in the heart, but more often it is the result of cancer spreading from other sources - another sarcoma or even melanoma.

Question 2

why is heart cancer so rare?

Accepted Answer

That is good news: I do not know but it does occur enough to make us worry about it. Most cancers of the heart are sarcomas....but they are the worst nightmare one can be faced with. So pray that it remains rare or  become even rarer!

Question 3

could a person have heart cancer?

Accepted Answer

Very rare: Since the cells of the heart seldom divide, cancer vary rarely arises here. Cancer may spread to the heart from other sites but when the tumor is this aggressive, usually this is not the fatal event.

Question 4

why can't people get heart cancer?

Accepted Answer

Very rare: People can get tumors of the heart muscle-most are benign. Though exceedingly rare, there are a group of malignant tumors called sarcomas, which can originate in the heart muscle.

Question 5

how can people develop heart cancer?

Accepted Answer

It is very rare: Heart cancer either primary to the heart muscle or pericardium (surrounding tissue) is very rare.  Even metastatic cancer from another site spreading to the heart is rare.  Direct invasion of the area surrounding the heart by a nearby cancer, into the pericardium or heart muscle is unusual but more frequent than the others mentioned above.

Question 6

which type of heart cancer is most severe?

Accepted Answer

Heart CA: Primary cancer of the heart is extremely rare...only about one case per year in the US.  Most of the tumors of the heart are benign. Cancer is usually a type of sarcoma, none of which is worse than the next...it's just a bad place to have a sarcoma as the primary treatment is surgical removal.

Question 7

what are some common signs of heart cancer?

Accepted Answer

Rare disorder: Most of the cancers in heart are metastatic cancers. Primary cancers of the heart are very rare. Such a tumor may produce signs and symptoms of heart failure. Please see this site for more info.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-cancer/an01288.

Question 8

is there a gentle way to treat heart cancer?

Accepted Answer

No: Cancer of the heart is rare and there is no treatment. Secondary cancer, that is as a result of spread of cancer arising from another organ such as the lung and breast is not uncommon and denotes poor outcome.Treatment is directed towards the primary cancer.

Question 9

what is the rate of survival of heart cancer?

Accepted Answer

Unknown: True "heart cancer" is extremely rare.  Most cancers involving the heart are other types of cancer that have spread.  All the blood in the body flows through the heart.  If the blood contains cancer cells, those cells can get stuck inside the heart and grow.  Some types of cancer grow in the fluid around the heart (pericardium.)  usually, once cancer involves the heart, patients can't be cured.

Question 10

how long could someone live with heart cancer?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac cancer: Carcinoma involving the heart is generally not survived for long. Malignant pericardial effusion or around the heart usually has survival under 6months. Cancers actually growing in the heart usually at least that short, it isn't a good situation.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Cancer around the heart

A member asked:

Is heart cancer possible?

A member asked:

Why is heart cancer so rare?

A member asked:

Could a person have heart cancer?

A member asked:

Why can't people get heart cancer?

A member asked:

How can people develop heart cancer?

A member asked:

Which type of heart cancer is most severe?

A member asked:

What are some common signs of heart cancer?

A member asked:

Is there a gentle way to treat heart cancer?

A member asked:

What is the rate of survival of heart cancer?

A member asked:

How long could someone live with heart cancer?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?