Cancer treatment may be linked to heart disease

According to a 2021 study published in American Journal of Cancer Research, the main side effect of anticancer drug treatment is cardiotoxicity, which “may appear acutely during treatment or chronically, even years after treatment is complete.” Cardiotoxicity can lead to cardiomyopathy, heart attacks, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and arrhythmias.

Cancer treatments that have a high risk of cardiotoxicity include:

• Cisplatin used to treat bladder, ovarian, and testicular cancer
• Adriamycin is used to treat leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, sarcoma, and multiple myeloma.
• Herceptin is used to treat breast cancer, stomach cancer, and gastroesophageal junction cancer.
• Carboplatin is used to treat ovarian, bladder, head and neck, lung, cervical, and sometimes testicular cancer.

the current, cleveland clinic estimates that up to 20% of adult cancer survivors may develop heart disease due to cardiotoxicity from cancer treatment.

“We are increasingly aware that the treatments we give can lead to complications, especially in younger patients who have many years to live if cured. [treat] ” said Brant Inman, a surgeon who specializes in bladder, kidney, and testicular cancer. Western University Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry In Canada.

Professor Anne Blaise, Professor of Haematology and Oncology at the University University of Minnesotapointed out that new cancer treatments can also cause new long-term side effects. “With many new treatments, there are growing concerns about: [the after effects] “We still don’t know about immunotherapy and how it affects atherosclerosis, a condition that thickens or hardens arteries,” she said.

Can cardiovascular risk be reduced after cancer?

According to a cardiovascular risk calculator developed by the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, cancer survivors who are most at risk of developing heart disease later in life are:

• People over 60 years old, infants, women
• People who have been treated with high-dose anthracyclines, high-dose radiation to the chest, or both
• People with a history of smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or heart disease

To reduce the risk of potential heart disease after cancer treatment, Blaes recommends that patients create an individualized plan for their unique situation.

For example, many cancer treatment clinics have survivorship programs that can help you develop a care plan.Another option is oncolink, an organization that allows patients to create a personal care plan for free as long as they know their past treatment history. For more detailed and customized information about specific cancer treatments or heart conditions, Blaes said, American College of CardiologyCardiosmart tool.

Patients also need to make sure their doctor understands their medical history and risk factors, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and chronic inflammation. Certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease after undergoing cancer treatment, Blaise said, and patients’ GPs should be aware of this. .

Ultimately, “until less toxic cancer treatments are developed, this article only emphasizes the importance of quality survival and support services. “This is because it is one of the main ways that we can minimize the negative effects of treatment on their long-term health.” advisory bodyJulia Elder.

To learn more about how healthcare providers can meet the unique needs of cancer survivors, check out our Survivorship Resource Library.

The advisory board also has resources highlighting how the health system is meeting the needs of patients who require both oncology and cardiovascular services. This expert insight outlines how two health systems are rethinking cardio-oncology care, and these two of his case studies provide specific examples of cardio-oncology programs. (Petrou, washington post3/24)