Treatment
Surgery is the standard treatment for primary cardiac tumors and myxomas. Surgery depends on the patient’s overall health, tumor size and whether or not the tumor is causing any symptoms. Treatment for malignant cardiac tumors includes chemotherapy and radiation. The doctor may recommend any of the following treatments for cardiac tumors.
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Open Heart Surgery
Removal of some cardiac tumors requires open heart surgery, which can be done robotically or by using other minimally invasive techniques. Open heart surgery is a complex process that requires a heart-lung machine that will pump the heart for the patient during the procedure. Surgery is most often recommend for myxomas. Patients that undergo open heart surgery should check that the tumor has not returned by receiving an echocardiogram every year.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to target rapidly growing cells in an effort to eliminate cancer cells. Most of these medications are given through the vein (intravenously). Chemotherapy may be given before and after surgery to decrease the chances of the cancer recurring. Chemotherapy may also be given to patients whose cancer has metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body.
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Radiation
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells. The goal is to minimize damage to the heart by precisely directing the radiation beams.
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Proton beam radiation therapy
Proton therapy is an advanced type of radiation therapy that uses “protons” rather than X-ray “photons” to deliver radiation to the tumor. It delivers a radiation dose to the cancer, but is thought to limit damage from the radiation to surrounding tissues. In conventional radiotherapy, the photon beams can deposit radiation and damage healthy cells as they pass through the body. Proton therapy deposits most of the radiation directly at the tumor site, resulting in less damage to healthy tissue and fewer side-effects.
- Please see Understanding Proton Therapy for more information
As mentioned previously, cases of cardiac tumors are rare and treatment options for cardiac tumors vary with the type of tumor. Surgical excision in combination with chemotherapy is noted as the best treatment option for malignant cardiac tumors.
