Late Cardiotoxicity: Issues for Childhood Cancer Survivors

OPINION STATEMENT

Cardiovascular-related morbidity is a substantial health burden in survivors of childhood cancers. This burden is gaining importance as this population increases through advancements in therapy. Anthracyclines are commonly used agents that are known to cause late cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity is also increased by other risk factors, such as concurrent radio- or chemotherapy, younger age at diagnosis, female sex, comorbidities, lifestyle factors, and genetic factors, such as hemochromatosis gene mutations. Treatment of late cardiotoxicity depends on the type of cardiac abnormalities and consists of pharmacotherapy, mechanical support, or heart transplantation. Because cardiotoxicity is progressive and often irreversible, prevention, risk reduction, and early detection are of utmost importance. The cardioprotectant dexrazoxane decreases anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Screening for other risk factors at the time of diagnosis may identify risk that when present, if used to tailor therapy, may reduce the severity of cardiac damage. The effects of exercise and other lifestyle changes in reducing the cardiovascular diseases in cancer survivors are unclear. However, it may be beneficial to encourage survivors to engage in physical activity tailored to survivor medical status, but with close monitoring.

Effect of chemotherapy in tumor on coronary arteries: Mechanisms and management

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important contributor to the cardiovascular burden in cancer survivors. The development of coronary ischemia events, myocardial infarction, and heart failure has been associated with many conventional chemotherapeutic agents, new targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. The most frequent pathological manifestations of chemotherapy-mediated coronary damage include acute vasospasm, acute thrombosis, accelerated atherosclerosis development, and microvascular dysfunction. Potential screening techniques for CAD patients include baseline risk factor evaluation, polygenic risk factors, and coronary artery calcium scores. Determining the risk requires consideration of both the type of chemotherapy and the type of cancer being treated. Cardiology-oncology guidelines offer some suggestions for the care of coronary artery disease, which might involve medication, lifestyle changes, and coronary revascularization.