Getting to Know Heart Sarcoma, Virgil Abloh's Cancer

 

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Sad news comes from the fashion world. The founder of the Off-White label and well-known designer Virgil Abloh died on Sunday (11/28/2021). The news of the death of the 41-year-old designer was announced directly by the family through an upload on the late @virgilabloh's Instagram account.

"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a deeply devoted father, husband, son, brother and friend. He leaves behind his beloved wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Gray Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and many dear friends and colleagues," the family wrote in the caption. In the embedded description also mentioned the cause of death of the designer. Abloh died of a rare and aggressive cancer, cardiac sarcoma. The family said that Abloh had suffered from cardiac angiosarcoma since 2019. He had gone through various treatments to recover his condition.

For fashion and sneakerhead lovers who love the Off-White collection, Abloh's departure is certainly very surprising. Moreover, the designer died at a relatively young age due to rare cancer.

Cardiac sarcomas, which are most often diagnosed as angiosarcomas, are tumors that form in the heart.

Primary cardiac tumors are rare and begin in vital organs. Meanwhile, secondary heart tumors can start in other parts of the body and go to the heart. According to the National Cancer Institute, sarcomas are rare cancers that develop in the inner lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels.

This type of cancer is most commonly found in the skin, breast, liver, spleen, and can occur anywhere in the body. Through their website they also explain that tumors can occur on the outer surface of the heart, in one or more chambers of the heart (intracavitary), or within the heart muscle tissue. Meanwhile, most cardiac sarcomas occur in the right atrium which affects the flow of blood in or out.

If the tumor is located in the pericardium – the thin sac that surrounds the heart – fluid can build up and affect the heart's ability to pump blood. What are the symptoms? Stanford Health Care says swelling of the feet, legs, ankles, and abdomen and distension of the veins in the neck are possible symptoms if the right atrium is blocked. Signs that cardiac sarcoma is forming in the pericardium are chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations.

Meanwhile, the pericardium is a fluid-filled sac that encloses the heart, root veins, aorta, pulmonary veins, and vena cava.

According to Standard Health Care, if symptoms appear, it means that the heart sarcoma has spread to other parts of the body. This occurs in 80% of cases. This disease can be detected through various tests including echocardiogram, CT scan, MRI scan and chest X-ray.

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