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Excision of Cardiac Tumors

Turn to Piedmont Medical Center for diagnosis and treatment of cardiac tumors. Our skilled surgeons perform excision of cardiac tumors in Rock Hill, SC, to restore the heart to its ideal level of function. Our goal is to make sure you understand the condition and the procedure, so you are prepared for the journey ahead. We invite you to reach out to our office with any questions you may have.

Understanding Cardiac Tumors

The heart is an essential part of the circulatory system that pumps blood throughout the body. Abnormal tissue that grows in the heart is referred to as a cardiac tumor. These forms of tumors can be malignant, meaning cancerous, or benign, meaning noncancerous; however, both can be life threatening if left untreated.

Symptoms of a Cardiac Tumor

At its early stages, a cardiac tumor may not cause symptoms. When symptoms do manifest, they have similarities to other common cardiovascular conditions, making it difficult to diagnose a cardiac tumor without additional testing. An echocardiogram and an MRI are both tests that help to determine the cause. Size and location are also factors that influence the symptoms and their severity. Symptoms can include:

  • Shortness of Breath
  • Swelling of the Legs
  • Irregular Heartbeat
  • Chest Pain
  • Stroke
  • Fever
  • Unintended Weight Loss

Treatment for a Cardiac Tumor

Excision is performed to remove both benign and malignant tumors. The specifics surrounding the removal of a cardiac tumor are dictated by what type of tumor it is. There are two types of cardiac tumors, primary and secondary.

  • Primary Cardiac Tumors originate in the heart and are very rare. 75% of primary cardiac tumors are benign.
  • Secondary Cardiac Tumors occur 20x to 30x more frequently than primary cardiac tumors. They stem from a primary tumor that originated in a different part of the body due to another form of cancer such as breast or lung cancer.

For malignant tumors, chemotherapy or radiation may be necessary, in addition to surgery, to prevent the tumor from returning.

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Coronary Artery Bypass

Piedmont Medical Center performs coronary artery bypass in Rock Hill, SC, using endoscopic vein harvesting.
Valvular Repair or Replacement

Turn to Piedmont Medical Center for valvular repair or replacement in Rock Hill, SC.
Repair of Atrial Septal Defects & Ventricular Aneurysms

Rely on Piedmont Medical Center for the repair of atrial septal defects and ventricular aneurysms.
Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

The surgeons at Piedmont Medical Center perform ablation of atrial fibrillation in Rock Hill, SC.
Maze Procedure

Turn to Piedmont Medical Center treat atrial fibrillation by performing the Maze Procedure in Rockhill, SC.