Although primary tumors of the heart are rare, occurring in approximately 0.02% of cases, our experienced team is dedicated to providing timely and effective care for these conditions. Benign tumors constitute the majority, with myxomas and other types accounting for about 75%. Over six decades ago, we achieved a breakthrough by successfully removing a myxoma from the left atrium, marking the beginning of a new era in heart tumor treatment. Today, heart tumors represent only 0.3-1.0% of all open-heart surgeries. However, challenges remain in terms of early detection, radical surgical interventions, and identifying malignant neoplasms at an early stage.
At our institute, we have treated over 1,000 patients with both benign and malignant heart tumors, ranging from children to adults. This extensive experience places us at the forefront of cardiac surgical centers worldwide. In our observations, the majority of heart tumors (92.9%) were found to be benign. We have encountered rhabdomyomas, hemangiomas, fibromas, lipomas, papillary fibroelastomas, and other tumor types. Notably, the most prevalent benign tumor is the myxoma, accounting for 88.9% of cases. Additionally, we have successfully treated 70 cases of malignant heart tumors, demonstrating our proficiency in addressing this complex pathology.
Our clinical practice incorporates an urgent surgical care system that employs optimized treatment approaches, resulting in a significant reduction in complications and in-hospital mortality during surgeries for myxomas and other rare benign tumors. We are proud to report that in the past 22 years, we have performed 565 operations for benign heart tumors without any fatalities.
Furthermore, our institute has extensive experience in treating primary malignant heart tumors. Through improvements in surgical techniques, aiming for maximum hemodynamic recovery, and the implementation of intraoperative manipulations and postoperative management methods, we have reduced the risk associated with these procedures. Mortality rates have decreased from 33.3% to 5.5%, significantly improving both the duration and quality of life for our patients after surgery. The utilization of early and appropriate chemotherapy has played a crucial role in enhancing surgical outcomes, often leading to complete patient recovery.
