Cancer of the heart muscle

AcosmicRN · Jun 19, 2004

No. I've never cared for anyone like that, or for that matter, seen anyone or heard of anyone with "heart cancer." Does it exist? In fact, is there any cancer that comes from muscle cells?

Acosmic

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jun 19, 2004

http://www.acor.org/ped-onc/diseases/rhabdo.html

Here's one example of cancer that arises from the muscle - yes, it's possible.

Suzanne, I've not heard of anyone with cancer of the heart muscle personally, but I know enough to know my experience is pretty limited compared to that of our 35,000+ members :). I'll be interested in hearing replies here.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2004

." Does it exist? In fact, is there any cancer that comes from muscle cells?

Sarcoma = Cancer arising from connective tissue, bones, and muscles.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 22, 2004

Interested to know if anyone has ever actually taken care of a patient

with this.

Quite rare, when it does exist...........

nurseunderwater · Jun 22, 2004

I was reading somewhere...i'll find it and post it....about cancer having a difficult time replicating in muscle cells because of their unique composition. ...searching...

here's one....

http://www.emedicine.com/med/byname/cardiac-sarcoma.htm

if you sign up for an account you can access more detailed abstracts.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2004

Cancer can come from virtually any cell in the body. Though it is more common in cells that have a higher reproductive rate, it can occur in slower ones.

Primary cardiac cancers are very rare but not unknown.

Only two suspected primary cardiac cancer patients that I have known were Dx'd on autopsy...not much help to you.

Try Sloan Kettering or MD Anderson - Houston website....or question Vanderbilt (large amounts of cancers in unusual presentations of unknown etiology.)

NeuroICURN · Jun 22, 2004

I've taken care of a patient that had heart cancer, but it was not the primary cancer. It was pretty scary to start at the heart rate in the 120s to 130s all night!