A Canadian doctor has made it his mission to raise awareness about heart tumours, a rare and deadly type of cancer that often goes undetected.
Hundreds of doctors from across the globe recently gathered in Toronto to learn more about the condition, which is frequently misdiagnosed.
Dr. Robert James Cusimano, a cardiovascular surgeon with the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at the University Health Network, organized the worldâs first-ever Cardiac Tumour Conference, which was held on Jan. 21.
âIf you have a tumour in your heart, people who see it who donât know much about it may say, âThatâs it, thereâs nothing else to do,ââ Dr. Cusimano told ŰÎŰ´ŤĂ˝.
He hopes the conference will boost the rare diseaseâs profile and speed up the diagnosis.
âLike all cancer treatments, earlier detection may equate to better longterm survival,â Dr. Cusimano said.
People with heart cancer typically complain of fatigue and trouble breathing, which is why it is often misdiagnosed.
And even when properly discovered, removing a heart tumour can be an invasive process that few medical experts are familiar with.
Patients who undergo treatment for heart cancer often face surgery. Joao Couto had 25 per cent of his heart muscle removed after doctors discovered a large tumour on the vital organ.
âSome people, I told them I took out a quarter of my heart. And theyâre like, âIs that possible?â and Iâm like, âYes, it is,ââ Couto said.
Tumours that grow on the heart are so uncommon that when Couto complained of fatigue and problems breathing, his doctors first thought he had pneumonia.
And recovery from the surgery can be challenging, but itâs not impossible. Brian Voykin had 25 per cent of his heart removed five years ago. Today, heâs an avid runner who regularly goes on five-kilometre jogs.
âI always tell people, Iâm kind of permanently at 90 per cent. Iâm completely healed,â Voykin said.
Couto is still healing from his heart surgery but says he feels optimistic about his future.
âI feel good, Iâm happy. I just wish it doesnât come back,â he said.
With a report from CTV medical specialist Avis Favaro and producer Elizabeth St. Philip