Caring4Cancer

Two weeks ago we thought my husband Everett was having a heart attack. I rushed him to the local ER and instead they found what they told me was a "large mass" in his heart. They performed open heart surgery a week later and were able to remove 80% of the tumor - which the Doc says was the size of a mans fist. They now have given this thing a name and are calling it an "Angiosarcoma". Cancer of the heart. Our first consultation with the oncologists will be on 8/21. From there, the plan is hospitalize him for four days a month for the next five months for Chemo. They call this a continuos infussion, and tell me it is the most aggressive form of chemo they can do for him. Radiation was also mentioned, but not further discussed yet. Does anyone have any information regarding this? I feel as if I've been sucker punched. Any support/information would be most appreciated.

Hi EvsGirl, my name is Peg and I was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma 2 months ago. It is similar to your husbands cancer as it too is a sarcoma only mine was located in my uterus. My understanding is that this type of sarcoma is mainly a smooth muscle cancer which means that it can effect any hollow organ like your stomach, heart, lungs, uterus or extremities. The usual treatment is to surgically remove the tumor, it is usually spread through the blood stream, not lymph nodes.There is no real test for it, other than finding a tumor, usually by following patients symptoms.It does not seem to have a hereditory  part but I would still have family members evaluated with any symptoms. Most often chemo and or radiation is used to slow the growth if not able to be fully removed. also CT scans should be done to check for any other tumors to see if it has metastasized, or spread any where else. I hope this info helps, my heart and prayers go out to you and your husband. please keep in touch and let me know how things are going. Peg