Childhood Heart Tumors: Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatments

Abstract

Childhood cardiac tumors are rare but challenging conditions that can have a significant impact on a child’s health and even be fatal if not detected and diagnosed timely. While various types of tumors can occur in the heart, the most common among children are benign tumors, such as rhabdomyomas. Diagnosis of pediatric cardiac tumors is often challenging and requires a combination of clinical examination, imaging studies and biopsy. In some cases, the tumors may be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, while in others, they can cause symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, arrhythmias and congestive heart failure. Treatment options for pediatric cardiac tumors vary depending on the type, size, and location of the tumor and may include surgical resection, watchful waiting or a combination of both. The prognosis for children with cardiac tumors is generally good, with a high rate of complete cure in many cases. However, long-term follow-up and monitoring are important to detect and manage any potential complications or recurrence of the tumors.