DIAGNOSES-OPERATIONS
HEART TUMORS
WHAT IS IT?
Heart tumors can be divided into malignant (cancer) and benign (not cancer). The most common malignant tumors are metastatic tumors from another cancer which is usually already known. Benign tumors are frequently myxomas, papillary fibroelastomas or lipomas. The danger with benign tumors is that they may obstruct the flow of blood through the heart or they may also break off and go the brain causing a stroke.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
There is frequently no known cause of the benign tumors. In few cases there may be a known syndrome which contributes (NAME syndrome, LAMB syndrome, Carney syndrome).
SYMPTOMS
The tumors themselves do not usually bring symptoms. However if they obstruct the flow of blood then the patient can feel dizziness whereas if a piece breaks off and goes to the brain this will cause a stroke.
OPERATION
For benign tumors their removal is indicated once they are found to avoid the risk of having a complication. For malignant tumors a multidisciplinary team of doctors must decide as to whether the tumor can be removed and whether this will benefit the patient’s prognosis. The removal of even the largest tumors can usually be done using minimally invasive methods (thoracoscopic, endoscopic, robotic).
Heart tumors can be divided into malignant (cancer) and benign (not cancer). The most common malignant tumors are metastatic tumors from another cancer which is usually already known. Benign tumors are frequently myxomas, papillary fibroelastomas or lipomas. The danger with benign tumors is that they may obstruct the flow of blood through the heart or they may also break off and go the brain causing a stroke.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
There is frequently no known cause of the benign tumors. In few cases there may be a known syndrome which contributes (NAME syndrome, LAMB syndrome, Carney syndrome).
SYMPTOMS
The tumors themselves do not usually bring symptoms. However if they obstruct the flow of blood then the patient can feel dizziness whereas if a piece breaks off and goes to the brain this will cause a stroke.
OPERATION
For benign tumors their removal is indicated once they are found to avoid the risk of having a complication. For malignant tumors a multidisciplinary team of doctors must decide as to whether the tumor can be removed and whether this will benefit the patient’s prognosis. The removal of even the largest tumors can usually be done using minimally invasive methods (thoracoscopic, endoscopic, robotic).