Can Heart Muscle Cells Mutate into Cancer Cells?

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The discussion centers on the potential for cancer to develop in heart cells, with the consensus that while all nucleated cells can theoretically become cancerous, the heart's unique characteristics make this less common. Heart muscle cells are primarily non-dividing, which complicates the development of cancer compared to more actively dividing cells found in other tissues, such as breast or skin. The conversation highlights that any cancer in the heart is likely to be environmentally induced rather than hereditary due to the heart's critical role in survival. Angiosarcoma, a cancer affecting the lining of blood vessels, is noted as a type that can occur in the heart. The interest in stem cell research is also mentioned, as stem cells have the potential to differentiate into various cell types, which could aid in heart repair and cancer treatment.
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If anyone has read my posts you are probably aware that I take a great interest in cell and cancer biology. So for my next question I want to ask about cancer once again. Now from reading different books and viewing different sites I have come to learn of cancers of the neck, head, bone, muscle, you name it. But one thing I never did see mention in association with cancer is the heart. Is it possible for the heart to develop cancer cells, or more precisely is it possible for the musscle cells in the heart to mutate into cancer cells? :confused:
 
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I'm thinking that all cells in the body that are nucleated can develop into cancer cells. Since the heart has such an essential function to the survival of humans, any cancer that develops in heart cells would probably not be heriditary, and would be caused by environmental effects.

Another point would be that cancers usually develop in actively dividing cells (e.g. breast cancer, skin cancer). Cells in the heart are non-dividing, hence myocardial infarctions are very difficult to repair. This is one of the reasons why stem cell research is so popular; stem cells can mature into any type of cell given the appropriate environment and factors.

Angiosarcoma is a cancer in the lining of blood vessels, and has been known to occur in the heart.

K
 
kalladin said:
I'm thinking that all cells in the body that are nucleated can develop into cancer cells. Since the heart has such an essential function to the survival of humans, any cancer that develops in heart cells would probably not be heriditary, and would be caused by environmental effects.

Another point would be that cancers usually develop in actively dividing cells (e.g. breast cancer, skin cancer). Cells in the heart are non-dividing, hence myocardial infarctions are very difficult to repair. This is one of the reasons why stem cell research is so popular; stem cells can mature into any type of cell given the appropriate environment and factors.

Angiosarcoma is a cancer in the lining of blood vessels, and has been known to occur in the heart.

K

Your answer sounds right on target.
http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.cfm?articleID=0007617E-75E8-1C71-9EB7809EC588F2D7
 
thank you very much you two. makes perfect sense.
 

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