Cardiac Tumors

We streamline care and pride ourselves on a multidisciplinary approach to improve outcomes for patients with cardiac tumors or masses. Our team includes specialists in cardiology, oncology, imaging, surgery, and pathology all under one roof. Together we'll provide you with a comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment plan.

Request an Appointment

If you have been diagnosed with a cardiac tumor, we are ready to help you. Call us at (404) 778-1900 to make an appointment. Winship experts are available for a second opinion.

We understand that this is a very stressful time. We welcome your questions and requests for help. Learn what to expect on your first visit.

Refer a Patient

We are referral center for the state of Georgia. Referring physicians, you or your staff may refer a patient by contacting us at (404) 778-1900 or via email.

The tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous. Cardiac tumors are uncommon but when they occur, they can be serious. Myxoma is the most common tumor of the heart in adults.

Symptoms caused by cardiac tumors such as chest pain, palpitations or rapid heart rate, are similar to those of many other heart conditions. This makes cardiac tumors difficult to diagnose. Your doctor may recommend an echocardiogram, if a cardiac tumor is suspected. Additional tests such as a computer tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be performed.

Our team of experts evaluate all types of cardiac tumors including:

• Myxoma
• Papillary fibroelastoma
• Cardiac paraganglioma
• Hemangioma
• Lipoma
• Fibroma
• Angiosarcoma
• Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
• Leiomyosarcoma
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Cardiac Thrombus
• Cardiac Vegetations

We work diligently to provide patients with a comprehensive care plan with expert input from leaders in the field. Treatment options include tumor resection, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy. Close observation, or watchful waiting, may also be an option for patients with cardiac tumors. This is when a patient's condition is closely monitored without giving any treatment until signs or symptoms occur or develop.

Surgery: Treatment of malignant cardiac tumors may involve surgical resection of the tumor, particularly for a myxoma. At Winship, our cardiothoracic surgery team offers minimally invasive options which allow for a quicker recovery.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used in combination with surgery to treat cancer.

Targeted therapy: For some patients, we use targeted treatments using drugs or other substances to attack cancer cells. Targeted therapies usually cause less harm to normal cells than chemotherapy or radiation therapy do.

Immunotherapy: This type of treatment is a promising area of medicine for some patients with cardiac tumors. It uses medications to help your body's immune system recognize and enhance its ability to tackle cancer cells.

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. Physicians may use radiation by itself to treat cardiac tumors or to shrink tumors before surgery.

Proton therapy: Proton therapy is the next generation of radiation oncology. It uses protons to precisely treat cardiac tumors while minimizing the potential toxicity to surrounding normal tissues. >>Learn about proton therapy.

Supportive Oncology Care

In addition to delivering the highest quality medical care, we recognize the importance of the psychological and emotional aspects of living with a cancer diagnosis and of dealing with treatment. Our supportive oncology team addresses these issues in a timely manner with additional support from counselors, nurse navigators, dietitians and social service professionals.