Access at: www.CFRjournal.com Cardiovascular (CV) disease and cancer remain the two most common causes of mortality in developed countries. According to recent data from the American Cancer Society, the lifetime probability of being diagnosed with an invasive cancer is higher for men (43 %) than for women (38 %).
1Within the last few decades the progress in the treatment of malignant diseases significantly improved survival of oncological patients. The decreased mortality is driven by both improved diagnostic and therapeutic modalities; however, the improved survival of oncological patients can be limited by adverse effects associated with intensive antitumorous treatment. In particular, cardiotoxicity may compromise the effectiveness of the anticancer therapy, independently of the oncological prognosis, and can negatively affect survival and quality of life of oncological patients.This includes the development of newly diagnosed CV problems, or the exacerbation of previously identified CV disease. Rates of CV problems from cancer-related therapeutics have been reported to be in excess of 30 %, and cardiotoxicity is the second most common cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors.2,3 The number of patients at risk of problems are high. According to the latest data, on 1 January 2016 more than 15.5 million Americans with a history of cancer were alive, and this number is projected to reach more than 20 million by 1 January 2026.Furthermore, 56 % of survivors were diagnosed within the past 10 years, and almost half (47 %) were aged 70 years or older. 4 Similarly, there is an increasing number of patients with malignancy who have a history of CV disease or an increased CV risk. Therefore, the CV problems in oncological patients are not only medical but also social and economic problems, and new strategies to solve this topic are needed. 5 This brief review focuses on some issues that need to be addressed in the near future.
Wide Spectrum of Cardiovascular Complications of Cancer TreatmentThe first clinical manifestation of adverse effects from anticancer drugs on the CV system was depression of the left ventricle function leading to heart failure in patients treated with anthracyclines. Therefore, the term there is a need for collaboration from a broad spectrum of specialists covering not only oncology, but all fields of cardiology.
Basic Concept for the Management of Patients Treated with Potentially Cardiotoxic DrugsIt has been shown that early detection and adequate treatment of CV complications can improve survival and the quality of life of oncological Abstract Cardiovascular (CV) disease and cancer remain the two most common causes of mortality in developed countries; however, progress in the treatment of malignant diseases significantly improved survival of oncological patients. Similarly, there is an increased number of the patients with malignancy who have a history of CV disease or an increased CV risk. Rates of CV problems from cancer-related therapeutics are high, and cardiotoxicity is the se...